Just seen a performance of Starlight Express, UK tour

[barnum42]

Just been to see the UK touring production of Starlight Express at the Bristol Hippodrome. Starlight was the first big West End show I saw and has always been my favourite. Nothing demanding, just good fun, some good characters and the spectacle.

Whilst I still enjoyed the tour, it is based on the US tour and has been compressed to remove a lot of songs, at the expense of characterisation. Originally in London the show had a running time of about two and a half hours. The tour performance lasts about an hour and a half.

Whilst there were a couple of small hydraulic lifts, the set was not a patch on the sliding bowl and the bridge seen in London. Also you can hear the skate wheels rumbling over the uneven surface, something I was never conscious of in London.

As they can’t gut the theatre to put in the racetracks, the races take place on s giant screen; at which point the audience don Safety Goggles to see the races in 3D. It’s not a bad compromise and they keep the races very short.

I guess if you have never seen the show before you will love it. If you have then you will be happy to be reminded of what you liked, but can’t help feeling it’s missing something. The audience at tonight’s performance lapped it all up and gave the company a good cheer at the end.

To me it was more Starlite than Starlight, but I’m still glad I saw it.

 

[ogryn]

I'm going to see it in Southampton in a few months (I think :hammer: )

I saw it in London, but when I was a lot smaller, so I don't remember too much (mainly the skating all around you)

*Fingers Crossed*

 

[barnum42]

I'm going to see it in Southampton in a few months (I think :hammer: )

I saw it in London, but when I was a lot smaller, so I don't remember too much (mainly the skating all around you)

*Fingers Crossed*

No more skating all around you. If you are in the stalls they have a catwalk that they sometimes come out on.

It's still bright and fun, plus as you are not a fan of the show you won't be comparing it and should have a great time.

 

[Pippa]

Sounds like an interesting version, I saw it twice in London and I can't imagine it without the two tier track. I hope it comes to the Congress Theatre here in Eastbourne. We are getting Beauty & The Beast at Easter so I'll be off to see that.

BTW I decided against doing Summer Holiday with the Am Drams, I am going to spend more time on WDWMagic instead!!

 

[barnum42]

Pippa, you may be like me and miss being enveloped by the set. The original version with CB, Belle, the more mysterious opening and control not being identified as a kid was in my opinion the best version. When they dropped, CB and Belle as part of the re-vamp to cut half an hour off the running time by removing a number of songs it was not really an improvement. Not all the changes were bad - the mega mix at the end was fun (shame they don't do that in the tour) and I liked the new song "Next Time You Fall In Love". The tour has gone back to the original "Only He". They have brought in a new song for the tour for the four carriages, but it comes across as a bad Spice Girls clone-type song. It's not bad, but it's nothing special. They have also re-done the rap again and the three Rockies are now three hip-hoppers.

 

[artvandelay]

It sounds like this version is the Las Vegas show. Starlight played at the LV Hilton for a couple of years. I went to see it expecting all of the bridges moving and this intricate set, and got none of it. Most of the race was on video (it looked like the Power Rangers). I fell asleep during the show.

 

[barnum42]

It sounds like this version is the Las Vegas show. Starlight played at the LV Hilton for a couple of years. I went to see it expecting all of the bridges moving and this intricate set, and got none of it. Most of the race was on video (it looked like the Power Rangers). I fell asleep during the show.

Well, at least the video is now in 3D. From a technical point of view I was impressed with the high definition rear projection 3D video. It was a large screen that filled the stage and as crisp quality as film.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I was able to see Starlight Express in London around Summer 2000...

It was o-k-a-y, but I guess the reason I did not enjoy it was due to the fact that our group tried to get The Lion King tickets.

The Lion King > Starlight Express

 

[barnum42]

The Lion King > Starlight Express

Than the version playing in 2000, I would say yes. Than the original production, I'd have to say no, and make it a tie.