Last night my family and I were treated to 25 roller-skating, singing,
dancing actors, pretending to be toy trains, zooming around a stage and
managing to sing and dance as well! It was a spectacular performance.
The plot is quite simple. The voice of a child playing with his toy
trains racing each other. The trains then appear to come alive and have
distinctive roles. Rusty the steam train, to Diesel and Electra, the electric
train and all the various car that can be attached to them. The moral is
obvious: new and flashy isn’t always the best, what is inside is more important
than what is on the surface. There is also a love element as well.
The story is played out in song. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music
(originally intended for an animated movie) and then year’s later re wrote it
with Richard Stilgoe adding the lyrics. It became one of the longest running
West End shows, closing after a run of 18 years.
The show that is now travelling around has been modified form the
original and has also been updated with dynamic choreography by Arlene Phillips
as well as Bill Kenwrights dazzling lighting and 3D special effects. It is the
first musical I have been to where I have been handed 3D glasses!
The rock opera musical is filled with catchy tunes as well as
costumes with lights and sounds so intricate in detail that they actually
lulled the audience into believing they were trains. The performers were
outstanding in their ability to sing, dance and act on skates. They must hold
amazing strength and stamina as the show lasts for two hours!
I took an 11 year old, 14 and 16 year old. The
audience was very mixed from children as young as 5 or 6 too many old age
pensioners. I can imagine there is something in the tale to suit all ages. My
own children (some more skeptical about coming than others) all loved it!
‘Starlight Express’ is currently playing at Venue Cymru from September
18th-29th. Tickets from £18. Box
Office: 01492 872000 www.venuecymru.co.uk
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