12th May 2012
Starlight Express first hit the stage back in the 1980's, becoming one of the longest running musical in West End history. The cast are putting their skates back on for a UK tour.
Critics might have been a bit sniffy about Starlight Express, but theatregoers lapped it up. More than 8 million of them, between 1984 and 2002 in London's West End. Given how successful Starlight Express became, it's easy to forget what a bizarre, risky theatrical concept it was. Actors would pretend to be trains, the whole story would take place within a child's dream and the cast would sing, dance and spend the whole show on roller skates.
Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the musical for his children, but in Trevor Nunn he chose a director more used to Shakespeare.
Trevor Nunn, Director commented: "The idea for the show was Andrew's. I mean one day he turns up and says let's have a show about Cats, the next day let's have a show about trains - the roller skates were my idea."
And that idea would prove a major challenge for choreographer Arlene Phillips who has returned to direct this production.
Arlene Phillips, Choreographer remarked: "We didn't think it would happen. We had skaters who couldn't count 5, 6, 7, 8 - they could just skate - and we had wonderful actor, singer dancers who put a pair of roller skates on and just came in on the roller skates and never stopped."
And injuries were common as Mykal Rand who joined the show in 1987 discovered.
Mykal Rand, Actor: "My wheels caught the side of the stage and I just slammed down to the ground and basically burst my muscle and sat down and just watched my muscle get bigger and bigger in my thigh so I was out for six weeks."
The likes of Starlight Express, Cats and Phantom of the Opera took musical production values to a new level. A bit over the top for some, but hugely popular.
Arlene Phillips, Choreographer: "The mega musical industry was so exciting. I worked on so many huge musicals at the time when there was never an element of you can't have an extra cast member, you can't have an extra person to sing. It was whatever you wanted, you could have."
Reviving a successful 80's musical is hardly a groundbreaking idea, but when it comes to pulling crowds, Starlight Express has an impressive track record.