I don’t think they will. The productions in other countries where always really different costume wise then what we got in Germany. and I think also they used here a totally different designer then from the one in Bochum and I’m pretty sure they are not planning on firing that one. But I also think this costumes here are much cheaper, they don’t look like they cost up 20.000€ or even half of it
@@FoxofNothingthe Bochum production had the original London Set designer John Napier. That's why the German production is so similar to the Starlight Express us Brits know and love.
@@stevej8037honestly when I see how expensive the tickets are, I would feel scammed… to get this for so much money. Maybe you should rather think about giving StEx in Germany a visit :)
I really think Bochum got the most healthy dose of change. They tweaked the story and lyrics a little, without fully derailing the concept completely (pun intended) and they changed characters to reflect the modern reality (e.g Ashley was retired, since smoking is banned in most public spaces), for example.
I think the only people who don't like this version are "musical snobs" who saw the original run in London or the version in Germany. I saw this version recently as my first experience of Starlight Express and i liked it and so did the audience. Its a modern albeit smaller adaptation that was restricted because of the venue size, nothing more. I expect most people criticising it have only seen these short megamix videos and they don't do it justice at all. Get off your moral high horse and go see it for yourself. Maybe you'll eat some humble pie, suprise yourself and like it too.
Oh do get off your high horse. People have different opinions, get over it. If you never saw the Apollo or Bochum versions you are not qualified to judge others who remember their magic. I’m glad you enjoyed it, but this is shite compared to those productions.
Please have some English spoken performances in Brochun... definitely be better to go to see the original looking production of this show with the iconic Bridge ....
I don’t know what to think seeing this. The Apollo Victoria theatre had dark corners, a huge bridge, it was really giving railway vibes. This looks like a playground of an amusements park, with matching mascotte outfits. Greaseball now a butch drag king? Meh… Electra looks full powerbottom female, while the original character was mysteriously androgynous and fierce. I’m rather disappointed to be honest. Was so looking forward booking a trip to the UK especially for this.
@@butterbookand it’s not even properly implementing DEI. This ideologically-motivated ‘inclusion’ has come at the exclusion of a long established (and well loved) character. We can’t have a white, hetero male lead character now, can we?! That will never do! 😏 Simply gender swapping the character in the name of ‘representation’ is lazy and it lacks creativity. If they wanted more female representation, why not replace Greaseball with a new female character (or add a fourth lead train) that Al Knott could’ve made her own rather than having to imitate a long-established male character who was based on a very famous man? It makes no sense. They could’ve at least changed the character up to be more Joan Jett or something, rather than have her trying to imitate Elvis. ‘I’m a rockin’’ rather than ‘I’m a knockin’’?! And she’s going to blow her vocal cords out quickly if she keeps straining her voice trying to sing songs that were designed for a male performer. It would’ve been more organic to make Electra female. Pearl is questioning what she wants in a partner, so why not explore that with a female? It feels like the changes were thought up by a bunch of student activists who constantly want everything represented - gender, sexuality, race, climate change. And the irony is, StEx had all of those things represented already to some extent. But nooo, that wasn’t enough for the bullies representing the cult of DEI was it?! This constant ideological bombardment in entertainment nowadays is exhausting…I just wanted to see Starlight Express FFS!!
@@butterbook IKR?! 3 of the 4 leads were black in 1984, and one of them androgynous/bi. Electra and his components have always given queer vibes. Even though Electra’s fluid sexuality was seen as a bit controversial back then, it was done subtly and cleverly…now they just bash you over the head with ‘representation’ in modern shows because everyone (apart from white hetero men) is soooo oppressed! Waaaah! I wonder too who’s whispering in ALW’s ear too, as gender swapping the white, very hetero male lead when there were more obvious choices available (i.e Electra) seems very calculated and almost sneering. Everything about this new production feels like it’s sneering at the older fans…the disdain is palpable in the choices made when changing aspects of the production. They sneer at us, but they were more than happy to take our money whilst deceiving us by marketing this as a ‘comeback’ 😏
@Simulacra719 he even did it in Joseph by turning most of the show to the narrator...who...you guessed it...STRONG FEMALE LEAD. In Cinderella...making all hetero males into airhead. YAWN. But it's working at the box office...RIGHT????? ALW can't even buy a hit.
I just saw it thus evening. I saw it before in London over 20 yrs ago and then in Manchester. This version was fab too and I enjoyed it, but they have gone all politically correct...whistling is bad, references to net zero and hydrogen. Electras costume 🤪
Schrecklich, die Kostüme sehen aus wie aus dem Hubba Bubba Land , hat nicht mit Eisenbahn zu tun , der Traum eines Jungen wird zum Albtraum wollte es mir eigentlich in London anschauen, werd ich mir jetzt klemmen .es geht nichts über Bochum, tolles Theater und beste Inszenierung . Der Stex rollt nicht umsonst seit 36 Jahren dort
Jesus what have they done to the show. I’m having serious doubts about going to see it next week. I’ll just have to keep going back to Bochum for my starlight fix, not that I’m too keen on that one since they ‘updated’ it.
The update is pretty need honestly. I was also really skeptical first, but I enjoyed it so much and compared to this … the change in Bochum is just a small breeze
Ich finde diese Version schrecklich. Die Charakter sehen aus wie aus einem Manga und die Kostüme wirken billig, wobei sie in Bochum, von der ich ein grosser Fan bin, Sau hochwertig Aussehen und sehr sehr detailgetreu
That was one of the great things about Starlight - the distinct costumes for all the characters signifying their ‘function’ and all their little details. I have no idea what these costumes are supposed to be 🤷🏻♀️ Looks like Gabriela Slade just did variations of the costumes she created for Six.
A new generation who’ve never seen the original can’t appreciate ‘the loss’! It was an innovative show , original and unique….this looks like a circus.
Wasn't the reference "we can't do that (whistle)"? Like whistling is bad. Well, PC Starlight Express, along with the shout out yo net zero in the musical and newbie Hydrogen.
I've paid £300 for 2 tickets in August. I was worried about the young cast and the greaseball switch before seeing this. I now see something that resembles a butlins prodiction and i've also found out 3rd hand my moving seats are also not happening - seems like a total cash cow now. Gutted
My thoughts exactly. Paid £300 for tickets in July and have decided not to go as I’m not forking out a further £500 for travel and hotels to see this hot mess.
@@Simulacra719 I don’t even get why the tickets are so expensive for this! Like in Germany StEx is also not cheap but cheaper and you get more and better quality
@@FoxofNothing precisely! I’m seriously shocked at how much they’re fleecing people for such a low level of quality and a product that barely resembles what it should. It’s disgraceful taking advantage of fans like that, and such a rip off.
I'm pleased to see this video, I'm disappointed as the only reason I booked the most expensive seats that I can't really afford was because the seats were supposed to move. I've had no email or communication to let me know in advance of the change. I love the words written by Richard Stillgoe so I hope some of the same songs are in this but the complete shock to me on this video is the costumes. In the original show they really resembled all the different trains but these costumes all look the same and do not look realistic...I'm just wondering if these were just the costumes for the finale perhaps ? or are they the same all the way through ? hope not.
„Look, how they massacred my boy.“ - Don Vito Corleone Seriously, why fix something that wasn't broken? Here's a thought for you Webber. Instead of revising your old shows, to suit a modern audience, write something NEW. This just feels tacked on.
As a HUGE fan of the original London production seen in 1994 and even in Las Vegas. THIS IS AWFUL! Looks like Box Trolls on skates....hell the ice show of Starlight was better than this......HORRIBLE
I don’t care what these comments are saying. This is probably now my favourite Starlight Express with all of it’s twists, changes, ideas, races and bits in between. I had a great time going there on opening night and on the day we came, I met the actress for Pearl, Kayna Montecillo and when we were at the restuaraunt, I talked to _Andrew Lloyd Webber_ himself. The night I had when I went there was like nothing I’ve ever seen and I would go there again. It may not be perfect with the some character designs (most infamously, Electra’s Components) and the way One Rock N Roll Too Many is handled but this is a show I would DEFTINETELY go see again.
So schade... :( Eigentlich wollte ich es mir in London ansehen, aber das lasse ich lieber. Die Kostüme sind äußerst gewöhnungsbedürftig und die Bühne gefällt mir auch gar nicht. Die Darsteller tun mir leid; haben sie doch sicher ihr ganzes Herzblut hineingesteckt! Ehrlich, das tut mir sehr leid. Auch hätte ich mir für London eine gewaltige Show gewünscht. Das ist London! Die Geburtsstätte von Starlight Express! Ich hätte dem Londoner Publikum wirklich mehr gewünscht. Ich kann es gar nicht fassen.
Das Bühnenbild hat irgendwas 80er Jahre mässiges. Das hat was. Die kostüme, wow, hatte mich schon gewundert warum es im Vorfeld nie Fotos davon gab. Wow, ist das schlecht...
It looks awful. No atmosphere. I hate theatre in the round. The Apollo Victoria Theatre's original West End run was amazing and was full of feeling and theatrical presence. I saw it 4 times at the Apollo.
My sisters and I have been avid Starlght fans since being little children. Overall we still thought there was lote of magic in last Saturday's show, despite not having the amazing choreography & jaw dropping stunts of the previous version. We thought the child's dream scene gave clarity to the whole show and we really loved the softening prescence of Mama thoughtout - a very positive change. But we were incredibly disappointed with the cartoon costumes and the space settings - we felt they confused the story and didn't enhance the train theme. We also felt the continual interruption of the child to be distracting - they spolit the flow of the show, and we felt it was too much pressure on a little child, we would strongly suggest aftet the dream scene the child does not appear again. But we really liked the introduction of Hydra, brining the show up to date! We are keen to return but for the magic of the Starlight we loved we will be visiting Germany!
I think she is doing a pretty good job, she is singing the same as every men did. The difference makes just the high of the voice But the rest is …. Yeah….
I am a huge fan of starlight express but not sure of these changes. I fell in love with the 90s production still on going in Bochum that i saw as well. Customes no - the originality of the customes imitating trains and carriages was epic... Gender change why?? Trains were male and main carriages were female .. understandable we are living in a more diverse society, but to change it for the sake of it, its just getting annoying ... And shortening the races, when that is one of the main story lines - rusty to become a winner againts all odds to impress his love Pearl... 😢
I agree with everything you are saying...but please explain "that we are living in a more diverse society?" Diversity has always been around...and what audience is being appealed to by changing male characters into female characters?
@@Simulacra719. These are my thoughts from another post just come home for a matinee. The costumes are pretty awful, I hate that the Greaseball character is now a woman and that the stage isn’t very big BUT the music is great, the cast are settling in to their roles and the lighting is brilliant. Control is now played by a young boy so the story makes sense but my biggest issue is with the choreography. It’s just not as good. There’s a lot of rolling around and hand jiving also they’re not very good at skating backwards. I think my problem is I’m such a huge fan of the original London production and the Bochum show. Go with an open mind and you’ll enjoy it. It’s different but good.
I’m going to see this in July, and honestly from what I’ve seen I don’t think it’ll be the experience I’ve been waiting for for over a year. It sucks really, I was looking forward to seeing characters like C.B and the freight cars, and I didn’t expect to see character designs so unappealing. Love Al Knott as Greaseball though, I think she’s doing a great job and I look forward to going just to see her ❤
Wow😳 I can’t put in words how bad this looks. I know that there are always differences between the productions but oh lord🤦🏻♀️ I’ve seen school productions that looked better than this. What the heck where they thinking?
Shame on everyone posting negative comments. This is the first PREVIEW from a completely revamped version being performed by actors who for many this is their first professional debut. Give them time to grow into the roles! They are the ones who will be reading these comments wanting to see what people think. If you hate the changes or material, fine, but go after Andrew Lloyd Webber for that. As for singing and acting choices, there is time now for things to be refined and rehearsed even more, and despite some hiccups the cast have brought so much energy as you can clearly see here. If you care about the show's longevity then show some encouragement and support!
@@butterbookexactly. The tickets weren't cheap and when we go to a show we expect it to be good. This was sold as a new Starlight Express, but really it's nothing like Starlight Express. So much change just really wasn't needed.
@@samanthajones4549 yes. I have spent years hoping we would get a starlight express rival. Seeing what they've given us, I'd rather they just hadn't bothered.
Just back from the second preview. I’m one who loves the original so was prepared to be disappointed, but this production is brilliant. Some tweaks needed but that cast is talented, sound and lights excellent. Not as changed from the original as i had feared, so thumbs up from here.
I saw Starlight Express in the 90s in London. Is this even the same musical ? The costumes are pathetic, Health and safety overload with regard to skating, no power in singing. I have tickets to this but I won't be going. This to me just looks like some sort of pride cabaret.
I’m not going either. We’d have to pay a further £500+ for travel and hotels just to get there (on top of £300 already paid for tickets), so unless our tickets sell, we’d rather take the financial hit than ruin our memories by watching this garbage. I’m not dragging my elderly father halfway across the country to see it when they’ve cut all of his favourite Freight trains. I’m so sad that he’ll never get to see the proper Starlight again 😞
I was actually surprised at how quiet the sound was. I was sitting in the mis-named Trackside seats (side balcony), so perhaps the speakers weren’t directed towards me as much, but usually you get a bit of a jump when the overture strikes up. Not here. Also, for all the bragging about the state-of-the-art mics and sound desk, the vocals were barely coming through.
Hi Ian, are they officially allowing the Megamix to be filmed just yet? Just wondering if it would be alright to share it - it would answer most of the questions about sightlines people have, but I don’t want to open Pandora’s box.
Whilst I agree with critiquing shows, some of these comments are just plain rude. This was the first preview performance, the cast only had a matter of days to get used to this theatre, not to mention that for 14 of them it’s their professional debut. Stop bashing them! As with any production, actors take time to truly immerse themselves in a new role, so give them all time. It’s been many years since I watched the original production so cannot compare the two. All I know is that I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and will no doubt make a return visit later in the run.
@@stevej8037 yes it was Trackside2. I also assumed I’d be level with the stage when I bought the ticket. The view is pretty good. Almost everything happens centre stage, be it the low or high level, so you don’t really miss much.
The original Starlight was DIVERSE without beating you over the head and WAY ahead of its time as well in that regard. I feel that lately ALW productions are being "diverse" to just be "diverse". Changing Greaseball????? Why isn't the dining car a male to even things out...? Sounds a little absurd right? Curious....how much are they charging for this monstrosity?
everyone is so mean about this production! i personally think that its pretty good, and honestly i don't see anything particularly wrong with it, i don't even mind the costumes. Im surprised how much i enjoy this production being a huge fan of the original london production myself, and i do think that the main productions of starlight are definitely superior, but people need to realize that this version is NON-REPLICA! i don't know how everyone had such high expectations for it, of course its going to be different and its bumming me out seeing all these people complain. this version has lots of things in the plot that i enjoy just as much as any other starlight express production and i think it is not deserving of how much hate its getting!! edit: the only gripe i have with it is that i do think the stage is really really little and theres sadly no bridge
So having high expectations is looked down upon now??? Tell me your a millennial without telling me your a millennial. Congrats on all Cs on your school report card. Let's celebrate!!
But it WASN’T ADVERTISED as a non-replica, and that’s why people are angry as they’re not getting the product they paid an extortionate price for. It’s deceitful false advertising. For the price they’re charging, the quality is abysmal. And they have a damn cheek to even call it Starlight with the sheer number of changes made to the OG production, with many of those changes being completely unnecessary.
Minute 5:40 summarizes, in essence, what this failed revival is: an unstoppable and shameful disaster. A train slower than a worm about to crash with financial losses. Since his breakup with Cameron Mackintosh, no Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has been the success that Cats, Phantom... and the same Starlight that we adored in those glorious nineties were. This is not the British musical theater that English are always proud of. This doesn't connect, it doesn't serve, it doesn't inspire.
Dude. This is the first show that their doing with this new material. It’s not supposed to be perfect. The story and changes aren’t perfect but are amazing when executed.
@@genreproductions2706but it wasn’t advertised as such, so they have deceived people out of a lot of money. It’s pretty despicable. And the performances should’ve been much higher in quality for the price of the tickets paid.
With respect which is little; Cameron only funded part of Cats and Phantom; he was not a member of the creative team. Be sure you’re thanking the right people when you praise the shows you once liked.
Mickey Joe Theatre says it’s Pearl, Dinah, Belle and Tassita - o can see them at 1.15 in the video singing a reprise of the song that has replaced A Lotta Locomotion
I went on opening night. I thought it was gonna be a little bit like Germany. It was one of the worst shows. I think I have seen. I know starlight express I trained musical Theatre. The outfits are appalling. The singing was not that great that hardly any skating they’ve changed a lot of the big songs. There was a lot of cast in the audience and they were there only ones clapping, I was in first class car was supposed to move like Germany it didn’t so I’m emailing of the Theatre to get a refund because I paid 150 pounds and when the show opened, it’s gonna be 180 pounds it advertised to seats to be moving and they don’tI would not recommend this show at all and it’s appalling
I paid £29.50 for this evenings performance. Booked it yesterday. I agree with a lot of what you say but I still enjoyed it. The singing varies. Pearl was fantastic in singing. Electra very poor. Greaseball now a woman. Hydrogen and the reference to net zero was 😂
Imagine being a theatre fan, enough to enjoy something as camp and as GAY as Starlight fucking Express, and complaining that they gender swapped a character
@@butterbook Literally everything. It’s roller-skating neon train-men singing camp 80s pop ballads for 90 minutes. It’s one homosexual blowjob away from being the gayest musical of all time. And that’s saying a lot because all musicals are at least a little gay
@@butterbook Sorry, what’s GAY about Starlight Express? It’s roller-skating neon train-men singing camp 80’s pop ballads for 90 minutes. Short of glorping on an erect dong, I don’t know how it could be any gayer
@@danculbert6349 Firstly, how do you qualify Starlight Express as gay? Has that word now assumed a meaning I'm unaware of? Secondly, Greaseball is the most masculine character in the show. Out of the characters that it might have been possible to gender-swap, that one in my opinion is not the right choice. Thirdly, I booked to fly to London from the other side of the world to see this gig, which is a hefty investment. I reserve my right to complain.
I am from Germany, Bochum, and I am shocked. What's that? Starlight Express? No. Definitly not. Andrew L. Webber killed the Starlight Express in a theatre...live and in front of everybody. Shame on you, Mr. Webber! I'm seriously so incredibly sorry that after so many years of waiting for a comeback, you're seeing such an absolutely bad and embarrassing production in London. England doesn't deserve that. Germany feels for you. 🥀🪦🔚 🎼🚂🎶
It is certainly different from the production in Bochum, but that is exactly what they wanted to achieve. It‘s different, but not overall bad mind you. And I am sure that the changes here won‘t be definite for all future productions, on the contrary I am quite certain that they will remain a one-time-thing, so talking about „ALW killing Starlight Express“ might be a bit too early. And of course the audio-quality of a phone-video can be no indicator of the show‘s musical quality.
I just saw it thus evening. I saw it before in London over 20 yrs ago and then in Manchester. This version was fab too and I enjoyed it, but they have gone all politically correct...whistling is bad, references to net zero and hydrogen. Electras costume 🤪
I am an epic fan of Starlight Express who has loved it since I saw the original version back in the Apollo many years ago. I have seen several versions of it and went to London last week to see it revamped. It was very very different but it had to be changed to bring it up to date to capture the widest possible audience and attract youngsters and make it safer and more politically correct. I was so glad to see it back again in the UK. Some things worked very well and were better. Rusty had to convert to hydrogen, he could not remain a coal fuelled steam train and I think this was done very well. Jeevan Braich's portrayal of Rusty was beautiful, tender and moving, the best I have ever seen. The additional song about hydrogen was brilliant and very catchy. Mama was fabulous, an amazing actor and singer. The connection of a mother with a real child on set brought a stronger depth of emotion but I don't think the child being Control throughout the show really worked and broke the fluency of the performance, also it was a big pressure on a child to have a main part. The set was smaller and safer and the actors did not reach the speeds they used to. It was a lot less exciting and exhilarating. I really really missed the bridge and the excitement it brought and felt a bit of grief it wasn't there 😢. The stunts were a lot less frequent and less risky and done on a scooter, which was a surprise and disappointment but was a lot safer for the actors. Apart from Rusty and Mamma the costumes did not work for me. The carriages' outfits looked like they were straight from Six and were still quite revealing and suggestive. A lot of the costumes looked like space creatures or aliens and nowhere near the resemblance of a train. Electra's entrance was not the almighty jaw dropping spectacle it used to be😢. Electra was very very different in looks. I missed their mohawk😢. Greaseball as a girl did not work for me. Apart from a few actors, the singing was not on the level it used to be or equivalent to other West End shows but it isn't the West End, it's Wembley. There was a heavy London street accent in quite a few of the actors and no one had an American accent. No southern Dolly Parton style Dinah. However it was still magical and moving and I cried when the Starlight Express arrived. Would I go again? Yes absolutely, it is still an entirely unique and thrilling show. But it also made me want to book a flight to Germany and see the show in Bochum as I am longing to see the old Starlight Express.
That is a lesson in how to wreck a show. Since when has Greaseball and Dinah been lesbian? The singing is terrible. The costumes are shocking. Anything good about this show has been stripped out
what a train wreck no pun intended what going on with the costumes there very metallic/ futuristic and look nothing like trains and greaseball been gender switched what the hell where they thinking if something isn't broken don't fix it what was Andrew Lloyd thinking. was excited when i was heard it was coming back for a revival but after seeing this i don't think ill even bother now ill stick with with what i original fell in love with back in 2007
This production is nothing short of a disaster. The repetitive arm movements, lack of vocal prowess, and inappropriate costumes fail to capture the essence of the show. In stark contrast to the professional standards set by Bochum, this performance resembles a college theater workshop, falling woefully short of expectations. It is a disservice to the professional actors and actresses who have previously brought complex choreography and advanced vocals to the Starlight stage.
The fact that you copied and pasted this comment on different videos is a disservice to the talented actors who are working hard in this new version with new material and trying to set a precedent. This was the first preview and if changes and refinement needs to be made it will happen from here. This is a completely revamped StEx for a whole new audience thus the essence of the show is going to be different. They even changed the whole steam premise to better fit modern day hydrogen trains which shows ALW is not holding back on changing things that were central to the original plot. I love the original show and think it's the best version but if I want to appreciate it I'll go listen to the albums or watch some recordings from the 80s/90s. Not bash the very first performance of 2024. But enough of what I think- the cast are probably going to be reading these comments and reviews to see what people think and they are the ones who will be most affected, not ALW and those who decided on the changes. For the majority of them it's their first professional debut. If you really care about the show and the actors be thoughtful about what you post and give them a chance to grow into the material and shine.
On another video I saw someone get called deaf and blind (said person liked this production and I respect that) by two other people, like what the genuine hell is wrong with people nowadays?
Sorry, I feel like I have to stand up for this production a little bit: I certainly did not like all the changes made to this new production, but that‘s just my opinion. However, as someone coming from an area where modern musical theatre is practically non-existent (and someone who has actually been to this performance), I very much appreciate the fact that they tried something new with it. Starlight Express has always been the most changed and adapted ALW-work (which of course can be both a good and a bad thing), and it is a good thing that they still try to keep the show fresh and up to date. Again, not all changes might be good. Of course the costumes look less like trains than in Bochum, but they are definitely more flashy and modern. Each character is clearly recogniseable in his role and the bright colours surely look more exciting than the original ones. Some people prefer the original, but not all changes made here are bad. Both Electra‘s costume and actor are amazing, the colour-coded freight-trains are way more distinguishable that way and generally every character has a clear individual colour-palette, even more than in Bochum. And lastly, let‘s not forget that this was the very first preview. They will keep changing and updating small things. Certainly the Bochum-production is amazing as well (after all, there‘s a reason why it is still running after all these years), but this production is not overall awful. Let‘s appreciate their effort of keeping the show alive and up to date. An effort that (at least in my opinion) has paid off.
Wow, that was staggeringly pompous! ‘Let’s appreciate their effort’. Who on earth do you think you are patronising people like that?! This has been falsely advertised as a return of Starlight Express and they’ve delivered a completely different show. Not just the odd few tweaks that were used to with this show, but an entirely new show with changes that don’t make sense or improve/enhance the original content. At least the 1992 production rebranded it ‘The New Starlight Express’ so people were aware it would be significantly different. They’ve deceived people into parting with a lot of money on good faith that they would see Starlight Express, and this isn’t Starlight Express…this is bull 💩! Cheap, pared-down sets and costumes with high school theatre-quality performances is unacceptable for the ticket prices charged. And I don’t care if this was a preview, the quality of performances should’ve been much higher than this. Previews are for sorting technical details and tweaking content, it’s not to give the cast another month of rehearsals because they aren’t up to scratch! The production team didn’t schedule enough time for rehearsals and it shows, and it’s wrong to have charged people so much money to see it when the cast clearly aren’t ready. So get off your high horse and pipe down. Or you’re connected to the production somehow and you’re on damage control here?
@@Simulacra719 unfortunately I‘m not connected to any of the people involved, but I find it a bit sad that people have such singular expectations of a show that can look very different and still be great. This production‘s purpose was to be different than Bochum, but I can see that this is not for every fan‘s liking. As I said I didn‘t like all the changes made, for example they unfortunately shortened the races (understandable when considering the theatre‘s size, but still…) and cut C.B. entirely. But it is hard to judge a show based on a phone-made video of its curtain call. It is still an interesting new approach and I am quite certain that all these radical changes won‘t be carried over to future productions (which I believe will be closer to the original again). And If you are selling your already bought tickets I will gladly buy them if you want!
@@ulrichlehensteiner my expectations weren’t singular and I was expecting changes, but not to this level - this is something else and most of it is unnecessary. The question is, how much can you change something before it technically becomes something else entirely? IMO, that’s what’s happened now and it should’ve been marketed as such so that customers could’ve made a more informed choice before parting with substantial amounts of cash to book it. And since the overwhelming majority of comments on other videos are negative, I dare say I’m not alone in this opinion. And I’m not basing my decision just on this video - there’s plenty of content from the show out there now and from what I’ve seen and heard, I do not regret my decision and I’m not willing to pay a further £600+ for hotels and travel to see it. Despite all the changes over the years, I always said I’d take Starlight in any format as I loved it so much, but this is too far for me…and I never in a million years thought I’d say that, let alone walk away when I’d already booked the most expensive tickets I’ve ever purchased for the show. However, if you want my tickets, they’re available on Twickets - it’s the only listing for 6th July at 7:30pm and I’m accepting offers if you want to purchase them.
Okay, everyone is still welcome in Bochum, Germany...
Danke schön
Who knew the musical version of Who wants to be a millionaire would be on skates!
I really hope Bochum won't adapt this :(
Doesn't look or sound like a professional production. Disgraceful.
I don’t think they will. The productions in other countries where always really different costume wise then what we got in Germany.
and I think also they used here a totally different designer then from the one in Bochum and I’m pretty sure they are not planning on firing that one.
But I also think this costumes here are much cheaper, they don’t look like they cost up 20.000€ or even half of it
@@FoxofNothingthe Bochum production had the original London Set designer John Napier. That's why the German production is so similar to the Starlight Express us Brits know and love.
@@stevej8037honestly when I see how expensive the tickets are, I would feel scammed… to get this for so much money.
Maybe you should rather think about giving StEx in Germany a visit :)
I really think Bochum got the most healthy dose of change. They tweaked the story and lyrics a little, without fully derailing the concept completely (pun intended) and they changed characters to reflect the modern reality (e.g Ashley was retired, since smoking is banned in most public spaces), for example.
So glad i live in germany, so that i can go to bochum instead
Mir tut das so leid für das Londoner Publikum und erst recht für die Darsteller.
no..just no...Go to Bochum, a real Arena, a huge hydraulic bridge, real races, its epic🎉
I think the only people who don't like this version are "musical snobs" who saw the original run in London or the version in Germany. I saw this version recently as my first experience of Starlight Express and i liked it and so did the audience. Its a modern albeit smaller adaptation that was restricted because of the venue size, nothing more. I expect most people criticising it have only seen these short megamix videos and they don't do it justice at all. Get off your moral high horse and go see it for yourself. Maybe you'll eat some humble pie, suprise yourself and like it too.
Oh do get off your high horse. People have different opinions, get over it. If you never saw the Apollo or Bochum versions you are not qualified to judge others who remember their magic. I’m glad you enjoyed it, but this is shite compared to those productions.
literally like i like every version of this show ppl need to stfu LMAO
Loved the original show in London Victoria
Me too I loved the original startlight 😊
I loved it best show ever want to see it again so haters stop hating they did an awesome job I'd do anything to see it again
Well said!
Please have some English spoken performances in Brochun... definitely be better to go to see the original looking production of this show with the iconic Bridge ....
I don’t know what to think seeing this. The Apollo Victoria theatre had dark corners, a huge bridge, it was really giving railway vibes. This looks like a playground of an amusements park, with matching mascotte outfits. Greaseball now a butch drag king? Meh… Electra looks full powerbottom female, while the original character was mysteriously androgynous and fierce. I’m rather disappointed to be honest. Was so looking forward booking a trip to the UK especially for this.
ALW has gone DEI. Time to retire....And Rusty looks androgynous too as well.
@@butterbookand it’s not even properly implementing DEI. This ideologically-motivated ‘inclusion’ has come at the exclusion of a long established (and well loved) character. We can’t have a white, hetero male lead character now, can we?! That will never do! 😏 Simply gender swapping the character in the name of ‘representation’ is lazy and it lacks creativity. If they wanted more female representation, why not replace Greaseball with a new female character (or add a fourth lead train) that Al Knott could’ve made her own rather than having to imitate a long-established male character who was based on a very famous man? It makes no sense. They could’ve at least changed the character up to be more Joan Jett or something, rather than have her trying to imitate Elvis. ‘I’m a rockin’’ rather than ‘I’m a knockin’’?! And she’s going to blow her vocal cords out quickly if she keeps straining her voice trying to sing songs that were designed for a male performer. It would’ve been more organic to make Electra female. Pearl is questioning what she wants in a partner, so why not explore that with a female? It feels like the changes were thought up by a bunch of student activists who constantly want everything represented - gender, sexuality, race, climate change. And the irony is, StEx had all of those things represented already to some extent. But nooo, that wasn’t enough for the bullies representing the cult of DEI was it?! This constant ideological bombardment in entertainment nowadays is exhausting…I just wanted to see Starlight Express FFS!!
@Simulacra719 very well said!!!!!! And Starlight was waaaaaaay ahead of its time by being diverse 40 years ago!!!!! Who is whispering in ALW's ear???
@@butterbook IKR?! 3 of the 4 leads were black in 1984, and one of them androgynous/bi. Electra and his components have always given queer vibes. Even though Electra’s fluid sexuality was seen as a bit controversial back then, it was done subtly and cleverly…now they just bash you over the head with ‘representation’ in modern shows because everyone (apart from white hetero men) is soooo oppressed! Waaaah! I wonder too who’s whispering in ALW’s ear too, as gender swapping the white, very hetero male lead when there were more obvious choices available (i.e Electra) seems very calculated and almost sneering. Everything about this new production feels like it’s sneering at the older fans…the disdain is palpable in the choices made when changing aspects of the production. They sneer at us, but they were more than happy to take our money whilst deceiving us by marketing this as a ‘comeback’ 😏
@Simulacra719 he even did it in Joseph by turning most of the show to the narrator...who...you guessed it...STRONG FEMALE LEAD. In Cinderella...making all hetero males into airhead. YAWN. But it's working at the box office...RIGHT????? ALW can't even buy a hit.
Honestly, saw it and loved it. This video really doesn't do it justice
Glad to hear that! Looks like a lot of people here are jumping to conclusions
@@craigmmcgillJumping to conclusions how?
I just saw it thus evening. I saw it before in London over 20 yrs ago and then in Manchester. This version was fab too and I enjoyed it, but they have gone all politically correct...whistling is bad, references to net zero and hydrogen. Electras costume 🤪
This looks like the tweenies on skates! I love the original change isn't always a good thing.
Schrecklich, die Kostüme sehen aus wie aus dem Hubba Bubba Land , hat nicht mit Eisenbahn zu tun , der Traum eines Jungen wird zum Albtraum wollte es mir eigentlich in London anschauen, werd ich mir jetzt klemmen .es geht nichts über Bochum, tolles Theater und beste Inszenierung . Der Stex rollt nicht umsonst seit 36 Jahren dort
Jesus what have they done to the show. I’m having serious doubts about going to see it next week. I’ll just have to keep going back to Bochum for my starlight fix, not that I’m too keen on that one since they ‘updated’ it.
The update is pretty need honestly. I was also really skeptical first, but I enjoyed it so much and compared to this … the change in Bochum is just a small breeze
Ich finde diese Version schrecklich. Die Charakter sehen aus wie aus einem Manga und die Kostüme wirken billig, wobei sie in Bochum, von der ich ein grosser Fan bin, Sau hochwertig Aussehen und sehr sehr detailgetreu
Die Kostüme in Bochum kosten je nach dem bis zu 20.000€, also eins allein, natürlich sehen sie auch danach aus
Noooo. What a trainwreck. Who designed those costumes? Every character looks the same :(
That was one of the great things about Starlight - the distinct costumes for all the characters signifying their ‘function’ and all their little details. I have no idea what these costumes are supposed to be 🤷🏻♀️ Looks like Gabriela Slade just did variations of the costumes she created for Six.
@@Simulacra719she's clearly a one trick pony when it comes to costumes.
When I first heard Gabriella was designing the costumes I had my doubts, but I expected way, way better than what we got
@@LadyDragonbane maybe they'll get tweaked before press night, as I suspect that will be the something the critics are going to have a field day on.
A new generation who’ve never seen the original can’t appreciate ‘the loss’! It was an innovative show , original and unique….this looks like a circus.
They even sing about consent for those wondering. “He whistled at me” “(with my consent” they actually sung that lol
Wasn't the reference "we can't do that (whistle)"? Like whistling is bad. Well, PC Starlight Express, along with the shout out yo net zero in the musical and newbie Hydrogen.
I've paid £300 for 2 tickets in August. I was worried about the young cast and the greaseball switch before seeing this. I now see something that resembles a butlins prodiction and i've also found out 3rd hand my moving seats are also not happening - seems like a total cash cow now.
Gutted
If you are fine with not understanding the language, come to Germany. We also have definitely moving seats on some places
My thoughts exactly. Paid £300 for tickets in July and have decided not to go as I’m not forking out a further £500 for travel and hotels to see this hot mess.
@@Simulacra719 I don’t even get why the tickets are so expensive for this! Like in Germany StEx is also not cheap but cheaper and you get more and better quality
@@FoxofNothing precisely! I’m seriously shocked at how much they’re fleecing people for such a low level of quality and a product that barely resembles what it should. It’s disgraceful taking advantage of fans like that, and such a rip off.
I'm pleased to see this video, I'm disappointed as the only reason I booked the most expensive seats that I can't really afford was because the seats were supposed to move. I've had no email or communication to let me know in advance of the change. I love the words written by Richard Stillgoe so I hope some of the same songs are in this but the complete shock to me on this video is the costumes. In the original show they really resembled all the different trains but these costumes all look the same and do not look realistic...I'm just wondering if these were just the costumes for the finale perhaps ? or are they the same all the way through ? hope not.
„Look, how they massacred my boy.“
- Don Vito Corleone
Seriously, why fix something that wasn't broken? Here's a thought for you Webber. Instead of revising your old shows, to suit a modern audience, write something NEW. This just feels tacked on.
And why not reward your long-term supporters of the show by bringing back the show they loved as close to the original as possible?!
As a HUGE fan of the original London production seen in 1994 and even in Las Vegas. THIS IS AWFUL! Looks like Box Trolls on skates....hell the ice show of Starlight was better than this......HORRIBLE
Couldn’t agree more. It looks crap but I have tickets so will have to endure it next week.
You are ABSOLUTELY correct! Even the ice show was “similar”!
@@psrpippy can you make a Review and tell us how it was here??
@@amandaroth6469 you saw the ice show as well??? 😀 I thought I was the only one...🤣
@@biggest_stex_fan I will.
I don’t care what these comments are saying. This is probably now my favourite Starlight Express with all of it’s twists, changes, ideas, races and bits in between. I had a great time going there on opening night and on the day we came, I met the actress for Pearl, Kayna Montecillo and when we were at the restuaraunt, I talked to _Andrew Lloyd Webber_ himself. The night I had when I went there was like nothing I’ve ever seen and I would go there again. It may not be perfect with the some character designs (most infamously, Electra’s Components) and the way One Rock N Roll Too Many is handled but this is a show I would DEFTINETELY go see again.
So schade... :(
Eigentlich wollte ich es mir in London ansehen, aber das lasse ich lieber. Die Kostüme sind äußerst gewöhnungsbedürftig und die Bühne gefällt mir auch gar nicht.
Die Darsteller tun mir leid; haben sie doch sicher ihr ganzes Herzblut hineingesteckt! Ehrlich, das tut mir sehr leid.
Auch hätte ich mir für London eine gewaltige Show gewünscht. Das ist London! Die Geburtsstätte von Starlight Express! Ich hätte dem Londoner Publikum wirklich mehr gewünscht. Ich kann es gar nicht fassen.
Das Bühnenbild hat irgendwas 80er Jahre mässiges. Das hat was. Die kostüme, wow, hatte mich schon gewundert warum es im Vorfeld nie Fotos davon gab. Wow, ist das schlecht...
It looks awful. No atmosphere. I hate theatre in the round. The Apollo Victoria Theatre's original West End run was amazing and was full of feeling and theatrical presence. I saw it 4 times at the Apollo.
I saw it 17 times! That new stage is tiny!!😮
@@RichArd-vc5jp That's interesting Richard. Thank you for your reply.
Okay but that hydrogen song does go hard
It's so terrible. I'm so glad it doesn't look like that in Bochum.
Wenn sie sowas in Bochum bringen würden wäre zwei Monate später Schicht im Schacht.
My sisters and I have been avid Starlght fans since being little children. Overall we still thought there was lote of magic in last Saturday's show, despite not having the amazing choreography & jaw dropping stunts of the previous version. We thought the child's dream scene gave clarity to the whole show and we really loved the softening prescence of Mama thoughtout - a very positive change. But we were incredibly disappointed with the cartoon costumes and the space settings - we felt they confused the story and didn't enhance the train theme. We also felt the continual interruption of the child to be distracting - they spolit the flow of the show, and we felt it was too much pressure on a little child, we would strongly suggest aftet the dream scene the child does not appear again. But we really liked the introduction of Hydra, brining the show up to date! We are keen to return but for the magic of the Starlight we loved we will be visiting Germany!
I'm sorry but this is terrible. The girl playing greaseball is yelling, not singing. Shocking. What an insult to past and present productions
I think she is doing a pretty good job, she is singing the same as every men did. The difference makes just the high of the voice
But the rest is …. Yeah….
I saw this Friday she was very bad. I wish she’d of sounded better
Just to add she really looked the part though
I am a huge fan of starlight express but not sure of these changes. I fell in love with the 90s production still on going in Bochum that i saw as well.
Customes no - the originality of the customes imitating trains and carriages was epic...
Gender change why?? Trains were male and main carriages were female .. understandable we are living in a more diverse society, but to change it for the sake of it, its just getting annoying ...
And shortening the races, when that is one of the main story lines - rusty to become a winner againts all odds to impress his love Pearl...
😢
I agree with everything you are saying...but please explain "that we are living in a more diverse society?" Diversity has always been around...and what audience is being appealed to by changing male characters into female characters?
I’m at the theatre now and bracing myself for a huge disappointment. Northing can ever compete with the original and Bochum.
What did you make of it in the end?
@@Simulacra719. These are my thoughts from another post
just come home for a matinee. The costumes are pretty awful, I hate that the Greaseball character is now a woman and that the stage isn’t very big BUT the music is great, the cast are settling in to their roles and the lighting is brilliant. Control is now played by a young boy so the story makes sense but my biggest issue is with the choreography. It’s just not as good. There’s a lot of rolling around and hand jiving also they’re not very good at skating backwards. I think my problem is I’m such a huge fan of the original London production and the Bochum show. Go with an open mind and you’ll enjoy it. It’s different but good.
I’m going to see this in July, and honestly from what I’ve seen I don’t think it’ll be the experience I’ve been waiting for for over a year. It sucks really, I was looking forward to seeing characters like C.B and the freight cars, and I didn’t expect to see character designs so unappealing. Love Al Knott as Greaseball though, I think she’s doing a great job and I look forward to going just to see her ❤
It’s great. I want to go again even though a few things were off. I’d also take noise defenders as it’s super loud
Thanks
Wow😳 I can’t put in words how bad this looks. I know that there are always differences between the productions but oh lord🤦🏻♀️ I’ve seen school productions that looked better than this. What the heck where they thinking?
Shame on everyone posting negative comments. This is the first PREVIEW from a completely revamped version being performed by actors who for many this is their first professional debut. Give them time to grow into the roles! They are the ones who will be reading these comments wanting to see what people think. If you hate the changes or material, fine, but go after Andrew Lloyd Webber for that. As for singing and acting choices, there is time now for things to be refined and rehearsed even more, and despite some hiccups the cast have brought so much energy as you can clearly see here. If you care about the show's longevity then show some encouragement and support!
Would you spend your hard earned money on this?
@@butterbookexactly. The tickets weren't cheap and when we go to a show we expect it to be good. This was sold as a new Starlight Express, but really it's nothing like Starlight Express. So much change just really wasn't needed.
But they're trading on the fact that it's the show we know and love? They might as well have made a new show.
@@samanthajones4549 yes. I have spent years hoping we would get a starlight express rival. Seeing what they've given us, I'd rather they just hadn't bothered.
Just back from the second preview. I’m one who loves the original so was prepared to be disappointed, but this production is brilliant. Some tweaks needed but that cast is talented, sound and lights excellent. Not as changed from the original as i had feared, so thumbs up from here.
I saw Starlight Express in the 90s in London. Is this even the same musical ? The costumes are pathetic, Health and safety overload with regard to skating, no power in singing. I have tickets to this but I won't be going. This to me just looks like some sort of pride cabaret.
I’m not going either. We’d have to pay a further £500+ for travel and hotels just to get there (on top of £300 already paid for tickets), so unless our tickets sell, we’d rather take the financial hit than ruin our memories by watching this garbage. I’m not dragging my elderly father halfway across the country to see it when they’ve cut all of his favourite Freight trains. I’m so sad that he’ll never get to see the proper Starlight again 😞
Love this, is bringing me happy tears 😢❤❤❤❤❤
Andrew L Webber was the person that had wrote Starlight express so what are you talking about
maybe it's just previews or the recording, but it sounds awful. Really can't hear any of them
I was there, it was so so loud. This is the finale so the songs apart from greaseballs singing were excellent
I was actually surprised at how quiet the sound was. I was sitting in the mis-named Trackside seats (side balcony), so perhaps the speakers weren’t directed towards me as much, but usually you get a bit of a jump when the overture strikes up. Not here. Also, for all the bragging about the state-of-the-art mics and sound desk, the vocals were barely coming through.
Hi Ian, are they officially allowing the Megamix to be filmed just yet? Just wondering if it would be alright to share it - it would answer most of the questions about sightlines people have, but I don’t want to open Pandora’s box.
Whilst I agree with critiquing shows, some of these comments are just plain rude. This was the first preview performance, the cast only had a matter of days to get used to this theatre, not to mention that for 14 of them it’s their professional debut. Stop bashing them! As with any production, actors take time to truly immerse themselves in a new role, so give them all time.
It’s been many years since I watched the original production so cannot compare the two. All I know is that I thoroughly enjoyed this performance and will no doubt make a return visit later in the run.
@ianday3620 Were you sitting in the trackside seats? If so, were you happy with the view? I thought they would have been level with the track.
@@stevej8037 yes it was Trackside2. I also assumed I’d be level with the stage when I bought the ticket. The view is pretty good. Almost everything happens centre stage, be it the low or high level, so you don’t really miss much.
@@ianday3620 thanks. I can't lie, I do feel kind of duped. I was contemplating trying to get a seat change.
@@stevej8037 yea I know what you mean. I was to go again I’d choose the main bank of seats. I think they’d have the best overall straight on view.
@@ianday3620 I did email KX tickets but they won't have it that the seat description is misleading.
Lol. 1 month max.
The original Starlight was DIVERSE without beating you over the head and WAY ahead of its time as well in that regard. I feel that lately ALW productions are being "diverse" to just be "diverse". Changing Greaseball????? Why isn't the dining car a male to even things out...? Sounds a little absurd right? Curious....how much are they charging for this monstrosity?
Do the front sections move or not because i am now looking online and it dont say they will move
@@thephantomfantasia they won't, sorry.. it was planned but they decided otherwise now
@@raviravioli ok good thing I am in the back section now anyway when I booked in the first place
everyone is so mean about this production! i personally think that its pretty good, and honestly i don't see anything particularly wrong with it, i don't even mind the costumes. Im surprised how much i enjoy this production being a huge fan of the original london production myself, and i do think that the main productions of starlight are definitely superior, but people need to realize that this version is NON-REPLICA! i don't know how everyone had such high expectations for it, of course its going to be different and its bumming me out seeing all these people complain. this version has lots of things in the plot that i enjoy just as much as any other starlight express production and i think it is not deserving of how much hate its getting!!
edit: the only gripe i have with it is that i do think the stage is really really little and theres sadly no bridge
So having high expectations is looked down upon now??? Tell me your a millennial without telling me your a millennial. Congrats on all Cs on your school report card. Let's celebrate!!
But it WASN’T ADVERTISED as a non-replica, and that’s why people are angry as they’re not getting the product they paid an extortionate price for. It’s deceitful false advertising. For the price they’re charging, the quality is abysmal. And they have a damn cheek to even call it Starlight with the sheer number of changes made to the OG production, with many of those changes being completely unnecessary.
Minute 5:40 summarizes, in essence, what this failed revival is: an unstoppable and shameful disaster. A train slower than a worm about to crash with financial losses. Since his breakup with Cameron Mackintosh, no Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has been the success that Cats, Phantom... and the same Starlight that we adored in those glorious nineties were. This is not the British musical theater that English are always proud of. This doesn't connect, it doesn't serve, it doesn't inspire.
Dude. This is the first show that their doing with this new material. It’s not supposed to be perfect. The story and changes aren’t perfect but are amazing when executed.
@@genreproductions2706but it wasn’t advertised as such, so they have deceived people out of a lot of money. It’s pretty despicable. And the performances should’ve been much higher in quality for the price of the tickets paid.
With respect which is little; Cameron only funded part of Cats and Phantom; he was not a member of the creative team. Be sure you’re thanking the right people when you praise the shows you once liked.
5:36 looks like a collision then the chap falls over
OMG the one in Germany is way way Better
I've seen it. I loved it. And I've got tickets to go again. Yes, I saw the original and I loved this as much!
I've seen this and think it's amazing . The costumes are great, and the Stunts the scooters did, wow. Will ve going again.
Where is Electra?
He’s the one who looks like he’s wrapped in Bacofoil with kitchen knives sticking out of him. He’s singing ‘Clear my track’.
Can someone explain Greasball to me, I just know the German one. And are the girls still Pearl, Belle, Carrie and Dinah?
DEI
They wanted to shine a light on the very real problem of abusive lesbian relationships.
@MT-mj3yv and too bad not the lipstick lesbian ones. Damn...a missed opportunity. I am sure ALW is taking notes
Mickey Joe Theatre says it’s Pearl, Dinah, Belle and Tassita - o can see them at 1.15 in the video singing a reprise of the song that has replaced A Lotta Locomotion
I went on opening night. I thought it was gonna be a little bit like Germany. It was one of the worst shows. I think I have seen. I know starlight express I trained musical Theatre. The outfits are appalling. The singing was not that great that hardly any skating they’ve changed a lot of the big songs. There was a lot of cast in the audience and they were there only ones clapping, I was in first class car was supposed to move like Germany it didn’t so I’m emailing of the Theatre to get a refund because I paid 150 pounds and when the show opened, it’s gonna be 180 pounds it advertised to seats to be moving and they don’tI would not recommend this show at all and it’s appalling
I paid £29.50 for this evenings performance. Booked it yesterday. I agree with a lot of what you say but I still enjoyed it. The singing varies. Pearl was fantastic in singing. Electra very poor. Greaseball now a woman. Hydrogen and the reference to net zero was 😂
Oh good grief... we have a female Greaseball now? Of course we do...
Well, it was nice knowing you, Starlight Express.
Imagine being a theatre fan, enough to enjoy something as camp and as GAY as Starlight fucking Express, and complaining that they gender swapped a character
@@danculbert6349 What was GAY about the original Starlight Express?
@@butterbook Literally everything. It’s roller-skating neon train-men singing camp 80s pop ballads for 90 minutes. It’s one homosexual blowjob away from being the gayest musical of all time. And that’s saying a lot because all musicals are at least a little gay
@@butterbook Sorry, what’s GAY about Starlight Express? It’s roller-skating neon train-men singing camp 80’s pop ballads for 90 minutes. Short of glorping on an erect dong, I don’t know how it could be any gayer
@@danculbert6349 Firstly, how do you qualify Starlight Express as gay? Has that word now assumed a meaning I'm unaware of? Secondly, Greaseball is the most masculine character in the show. Out of the characters that it might have been possible to gender-swap, that one in my opinion is not the right choice. Thirdly, I booked to fly to London from the other side of the world to see this gig, which is a hefty investment. I reserve my right to complain.
Horrible Costumes!
Wow, that stage design is incredible!!
Looks like a Gymborree
😂😂😂
I am from Germany, Bochum, and I am shocked. What's that? Starlight Express? No. Definitly not. Andrew L. Webber killed the Starlight Express in a theatre...live and in front of everybody. Shame on you, Mr. Webber!
I'm seriously so incredibly sorry that after so many years of waiting for a comeback, you're seeing such an absolutely bad and embarrassing production in London. England doesn't deserve that. Germany feels for you.
🥀🪦🔚 🎼🚂🎶
It is certainly different from the production in Bochum, but that is exactly what they wanted to achieve. It‘s different, but not overall bad mind you. And I am sure that the changes here won‘t be definite for all future productions, on the contrary I am quite certain that they will remain a one-time-thing, so talking about „ALW killing Starlight Express“ might be a bit too early.
And of course the audio-quality of a phone-video can be no indicator of the show‘s musical quality.
womp womp
that’s a real shame. i guess it must have come back to life even better than germany’s production.
I just saw it thus evening. I saw it before in London over 20 yrs ago and then in Manchester. This version was fab too and I enjoyed it, but they have gone all politically correct...whistling is bad, references to net zero and hydrogen. Electras costume 🤪
I am an epic fan of Starlight Express who has loved it since I saw the original version back in the Apollo many years ago. I have seen several versions of it and went to London last week to see it revamped.
It was very very different but it had to be changed to bring it up to date to capture the widest possible audience and attract youngsters and make it safer and more politically correct. I was so glad to see it back again in the UK.
Some things worked very well and were better. Rusty had to convert to hydrogen, he could not remain a coal fuelled steam train and I think this was done very well. Jeevan Braich's portrayal of Rusty was beautiful, tender and moving, the best I have ever seen. The additional song about hydrogen was brilliant and very catchy.
Mama was fabulous, an amazing actor and singer. The connection of a mother with a real child on set brought a stronger depth of emotion but I don't think the child being Control throughout the show really worked and broke the fluency of the performance, also it was a big pressure on a child to have a main part.
The set was smaller and safer and the actors did not reach the speeds they used to. It was a lot less exciting and exhilarating. I really really missed the bridge and the excitement it brought and felt a bit of grief it wasn't there 😢.
The stunts were a lot less frequent and less risky and done on a scooter, which was a surprise and disappointment but was a lot safer for the actors.
Apart from Rusty and Mamma the costumes did not work for me. The carriages' outfits looked like they were straight from Six and were still quite revealing and suggestive. A lot of the costumes looked like space creatures or aliens and nowhere near the resemblance of a train.
Electra's entrance was not the almighty jaw dropping spectacle it used to be😢. Electra was very very different in looks. I missed their mohawk😢.
Greaseball as a girl did not work for me.
Apart from a few actors, the singing was not on the level it used to be or equivalent to other West End shows but it isn't the West End, it's Wembley. There was a heavy London street accent in quite a few of the actors and no one had an American accent. No southern Dolly Parton style Dinah.
However it was still magical and moving and I cried when the Starlight Express arrived. Would I go again? Yes absolutely, it is still an entirely unique and thrilling show.
But it also made me want to book a flight to Germany and see the show in Bochum as I am longing to see the old Starlight Express.
That is a lesson in how to wreck a show. Since when has Greaseball and Dinah been lesbian? The singing is terrible. The costumes are shocking. Anything good about this show has been stripped out
what a train wreck no pun intended what going on with the costumes there very metallic/ futuristic and look nothing like trains and greaseball been gender switched what the hell where they thinking if something isn't broken don't fix it what was Andrew Lloyd thinking. was excited when i was heard it was coming back for a revival but after seeing this i don't think ill even bother now ill stick with with what i original fell in love with back in 2007
Someone said the new set and costumes are part of the childs imagination mixing space and trains rather that it just being a train set
This production is nothing short of a disaster. The repetitive arm movements, lack of vocal prowess, and inappropriate costumes fail to capture the essence of the show. In stark contrast to the professional standards set by Bochum, this performance resembles a college theater workshop, falling woefully short of expectations. It is a disservice to the professional actors and actresses who have previously brought complex choreography and advanced vocals to the Starlight stage.
The fact that you copied and pasted this comment on different videos is a disservice to the talented actors who are working hard in this new version with new material and trying to set a precedent. This was the first preview and if changes and refinement needs to be made it will happen from here. This is a completely revamped StEx for a whole new audience thus the essence of the show is going to be different. They even changed the whole steam premise to better fit modern day hydrogen trains which shows ALW is not holding back on changing things that were central to the original plot. I love the original show and think it's the best version but if I want to appreciate it I'll go listen to the albums or watch some recordings from the 80s/90s. Not bash the very first performance of 2024. But enough of what I think- the cast are probably going to be reading these comments and reviews to see what people think and they are the ones who will be most affected, not ALW and those who decided on the changes. For the majority of them it's their first professional debut. If you really care about the show and the actors be thoughtful about what you post and give them a chance to grow into the material and shine.
@@hatchworthless2746FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS IT
On another video I saw someone get called deaf and blind (said person liked this production and I respect that) by two other people, like what the genuine hell is wrong with people nowadays?
@@hatchworthless2746 Who is the "new audience" you are speaking of? This show is a prime example of shrinkflation.
@@TRAIN110ValleyProductions Are you going to pay to see it?
Sorry, I feel like I have to stand up for this production a little bit:
I certainly did not like all the changes made to this new production, but that‘s just my opinion. However, as someone coming from an area where modern musical theatre is practically non-existent (and someone who has actually been to this performance), I very much appreciate the fact that they tried something new with it. Starlight Express has always been the most changed and adapted ALW-work (which of course can be both a good and a bad thing), and it is a good thing that they still try to keep the show fresh and up to date. Again, not all changes might be good. Of course the costumes look less like trains than in Bochum, but they are definitely more flashy and modern. Each character is clearly recogniseable in his role and the bright colours surely look more exciting than the original ones.
Some people prefer the original, but not all changes made here are bad.
Both Electra‘s costume and actor are amazing, the colour-coded freight-trains are way more distinguishable that way and generally every character has a clear individual colour-palette, even more than in Bochum.
And lastly, let‘s not forget that this was the very first preview. They will keep changing and updating small things.
Certainly the Bochum-production is amazing as well (after all, there‘s a reason why it is still running after all these years), but this production is not overall awful.
Let‘s appreciate their effort of keeping the show alive and up to date.
An effort that (at least in my opinion) has paid off.
Wow, that was staggeringly pompous! ‘Let’s appreciate their effort’. Who on earth do you think you are patronising people like that?! This has been falsely advertised as a return of Starlight Express and they’ve delivered a completely different show. Not just the odd few tweaks that were used to with this show, but an entirely new show with changes that don’t make sense or improve/enhance the original content. At least the 1992 production rebranded it ‘The New Starlight Express’ so people were aware it would be significantly different. They’ve deceived people into parting with a lot of money on good faith that they would see Starlight Express, and this isn’t Starlight Express…this is bull 💩! Cheap, pared-down sets and costumes with high school theatre-quality performances is unacceptable for the ticket prices charged. And I don’t care if this was a preview, the quality of performances should’ve been much higher than this. Previews are for sorting technical details and tweaking content, it’s not to give the cast another month of rehearsals because they aren’t up to scratch! The production team didn’t schedule enough time for rehearsals and it shows, and it’s wrong to have charged people so much money to see it when the cast clearly aren’t ready. So get off your high horse and pipe down. Or you’re connected to the production somehow and you’re on damage control here?
@@Simulacra719 unfortunately I‘m not connected to any of the people involved, but I find it a bit sad that people have such singular expectations of a show that can look very different and still be great. This production‘s purpose was to be different than Bochum, but I can see that this is not for every fan‘s liking.
As I said I didn‘t like all the changes made, for example they unfortunately shortened the races (understandable when considering the theatre‘s size, but still…) and cut C.B. entirely.
But it is hard to judge a show based on a phone-made video of its curtain call.
It is still an interesting new approach and I am quite certain that all these radical changes won‘t be carried over to future productions (which I believe will be closer to the original again).
And If you are selling your already bought tickets I will gladly buy them if you want!
@@ulrichlehensteiner my expectations weren’t singular and I was expecting changes, but not to this level - this is something else and most of it is unnecessary. The question is, how much can you change something before it technically becomes something else entirely? IMO, that’s what’s happened now and it should’ve been marketed as such so that customers could’ve made a more informed choice before parting with substantial amounts of cash to book it. And since the overwhelming majority of comments on other videos are negative, I dare say I’m not alone in this opinion. And I’m not basing my decision just on this video - there’s plenty of content from the show out there now and from what I’ve seen and heard, I do not regret my decision and I’m not willing to pay a further £600+ for hotels and travel to see it. Despite all the changes over the years, I always said I’d take Starlight in any format as I loved it so much, but this is too far for me…and I never in a million years thought I’d say that, let alone walk away when I’d already booked the most expensive tickets I’ve ever purchased for the show. However, if you want my tickets, they’re available on Twickets - it’s the only listing for 6th July at 7:30pm and I’m accepting offers if you want to purchase them.
What ever it appears, I still can’t wait to go on January 30th, I’m sure the atmosphere is better than this clip🛼🛼🛼🛼