Review: Starlight Express

It’s hard to imagine how a story of racing toy trains can thrill and excite an audience. But with the cast on roller skates, a musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, electrifying roller-choreography by Arlene Phillips and what can only be described as sheer technical wizardry Starlight Express is high-speed escapism.

It follows the dreams of a child whose greatest love is his toy trains who come to life with turbo-charged energy to take part in the greatest race of all time. Although the storyline is predictable – the underdog will win both the race and the love of his life – it’s the sheer speed, glitz and spectacle that make this show an amazing piece of theatre.

Although in this touring version there are no tracks around the audience, as in the original West End production, the thrill of the race hasn’t been lost, rather brought bang up-to-date by the clever use of 3D film.

As Rusty, the steam train who comes out top in the end, Kristofer Harding has a believable innocence about him that makes the audience really want him to win the race and the love of Pearl, the first class coach. In complete contrast Jamie Capewell as Greaseball, is wickedly brash as the Elvis-style diesel locomotive whilst Mykal Rand’s superb stage presence makes Electra, the electric train a villain you love to hate.

Starlight Express is blessed with a highly talented cast, a fabulous feel-good factor and tunes you will be humming long after you’ve left the theatre. It really is worth buckling up and jumping aboard this Bank Holiday.

To June 16.