I have no shame in admitting it…I am a Starlight Express stan. Having given 5 stars to the production last year had to check out the new cast to see if they could keep my infatuation with the show going!

For those unfamiliar with the show now is time to put aside any notion that it is a serious piece of theatre…. far from it. The show is about trains with a focus on Rusty the steam train who is trying to prove that steam can still win the race, even when pitted up against Greaseball the diesel train and Electra the Electric Train.

There is no denying that the whole notion of the show is bonkers but despite your better judgement you are soon cheering for the steam trains in the races and rooting for Dinah the dining car and Greaseballs romance to succeed. For fans of the original show there has been a huge amount of rewrites and even some from the ongoing production in Bochum. The show is brought up to date in language (although maybe taking the time to explain that whistling at people is normally not ok but as you are a train it’s ok takes it too far) and what was previously simply a voice as ‘Control’ is brought to life by a child.  They tell the trains off for fighting, decide the pairings of trains and carriages and commentates on the races with this constant presence reminding us just who is telling the story.

The cast is a cast of 24 and there are several new faces within the cast. Olivia Ringrose is new to the role of Greaseball and she is brilliant in the role. Her voice has a unique quality, sounding distinct from others in the cast, setting her apart and her energy comes across like the ultimate ‘girl’ (well train) boss. She was so successful in the part that she very nearly had me rooting for her to win! Scott Hayward was on for Rusty at the performance I attended and he was brilliantly warm in the role. His number, ‘Starlight Express’ really showed off his vocals, sending me off to the interval with shivers down my spine.

A consistent highlight in Starlight Express is Jaydon Vijn as Hydra who remains on in the cast. He is not only an exceptional skater but oozes charisma in the role and is the perfect person to therefore pair up with Rusty. The carriages are played by Sophie Naglik (Pearl), Georgia Pemberton (Dinah), Tamara Verhoven Clyde (Belle) and Nicky Wong Rush (Tassita). I adored how they leaned into a ‘girl group’ vibe for them and each of them really had their own unique carriage characters shine through.

The skating is of course a huge part of Starlight Express with the whole cast, except Control and the Skate Marshalls, on skates. The cast whizz past you during the race, and utilize the full auditorium for entrances and exits as well as a skate ramp which is a huge part of the set design. At other moments there is intricate footwork as well as fun synchronised moments. The skate marshals are on scooters and there is a real wow factor with them, with them literally flipping mid air at points throughout the show. The skating seemed much more assured since my first trip to the show, despite the fact that there were many new faces in the cast.

Talking of the skate ramp I must mention the set design by Tim Hatley, even on second viewing the set and in fact the whole technical aspect is awe inspiring. Not only does the track weave amongst the audience but in the centre of the stage there is a huge revolve which also rises and falls and is used to impressive effect. The set works brilliantly with the other technical aspects, video design and animation by Andrej Goulding means that the trains get filmed during the race, ensuring that no matter where the moments of high drama take place the whole audience can clearly see the action. Mario Kart esq graphics before the race with each entry having their own logo to make it clear who is racing with who. And all of this is just for the races, the rest of the time we see stars, planets and numerous other effects which helps add to the child like wonder of the show.

As if I hadn’t used enough superlatives already on the technical aspects of the show allow me to add to it when talking about the lighting and sound. Despite the cast whizzing past you not a single line is hard to hear thanks to sound design by Gareth Owen and the band of 8 is crystal clear. The lighting design by Howard Hudson enhances the set and on a practical level helps direct the audiences attention on the sprawling set whilst at other moments creating jaw dropping moments of magic.

The costumes by Gabriella Slade is like the cherry on the cake, or air conditioning on an empty commuter train. The cast are transformed nearly beyond recognition by their costumes, Electra and his carriages even have a fun moment of inflatable madness with their costumes whilst the distinct colour pallet of each character helps identify them at ease or even associate types of trains which helps as they whizz past you!

Starlight Express is the perfect musical to bring out the inner child in you. From jaw dropping moments to a new cast that hit the track with energy and bundles of talent. Make sure you don’t miss the train and get yourself to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

Starlight Express is currently booking through to February 2026. You can find out more and book tickets here.

If you like this review you might also like my review for Back to The Future, The Great Gatsby and Operation Mincemeat.