Starlight Express opened in Bochum, Germany on 12 June 1988 at a specially built venue, the Starlight Express Theater.
It is currently the only permanent production of Starlight Express. By 2017, the production had been seen by 16 million people. As of February 2020, it has been performed 12,000 times[1].
In 2018 the show received major updates - see separate page for details.
Production Details[]
The Bochum production mostly followed the model set by the Japan/Australia tour. It also used some elements of the London production.
As with tour, the Bochum production:
- followed the 4-race structure (rather than London's 5).
- cut the character of Belle (who was part of the show in London)
- featured "Engine of Love" and "Make Up My Heart" (rather than "Call Me Rusty" and "He Whistled at Me" in London)
- placed "Pumping Iron" after "AC/DC" (rather than after "Freight")
- used 4 Rockies (rather than London's 3)
However, the production used the London Overture and a version of "A Lotta Locomotion" featuring all 4 coaches. The race winners were also tweaked, with The German Engine going through to the final, instead of The French Engine.
Translation into German[]
Richard Stilgoe's lyrics were translated in German by Sabine Grohmann and Wolfgang Adenberg.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's involvement[]
Andrew Lloyd Webber initially took a hands-off approach. He did not see the production until its second year, when, in June 1990, he combined a visit to Bochum with a visit to the German premiere of The Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg[2].
Early Revisions - 1990 to 2003[]
In the first years of the production, updates were minimal:
- In 1990, Rocky 4 was removed.
- In 1991, some minor revisions from the US tour were incorporated into the production[3].
- In 1992, the German Engine's name was changed from "Weltschaft" to "Ruhrgold". Around that time, full-time Gang roles were replaced by more swings.
2003 Revisions[]
By 2003 audience numbers were dropping. The producers sought permission from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group to make major changes to the show, in an attempt to create publicity and persuade at least some of the 9 million people who had seen the show to come back and see it again[4].
Three songs from the 1992 "New Starlight" revisions were added: "Crazy", "Next Time You Fall In Love" and the "Megamix". "Engine of Love" was kept but shortened.
2006 Revisions[]
October saw the assimilation of the second US tour Hip Hoppers, replacing the Rockies.
2007 Revisions[]
The Rap was altered again, adding the beginning of the UK Tour version, and pyrotechnics can be seen when Electra enters and Greaseball skates at high speed.
2008 Revisions[]
In 2008, the "Overture" was replaced by "Entry of the National Engines" (moved from prior to "AC/DC"). "Engine of Love" was cut completely, with the melody recycled for Pearl's ballad "He'll Whistle at Me" ("Dann pfeift er mir zu"), in a new German translation. To replace "Engine of Love", the shortened version of "Call Me Rusty" ("Nennt mich rostig") was introduced. Caboose's duet with Dinah "There's Me" was cut. The title song was reworked to "When your good-nights have been said" version, as later London. "The Rap" was now the "It's Race Time" version. The final duet between Rusty and Pearl was reworked to the UK tour version of "Only He" ("Nur mit Ihm").
2013 Revisions[]
The love-song was replaced again, this time with "I Do" ("Für Immer"). "Whole Lotta Locomotion" ("Nie Genug") was also added. Other songs, like "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D." ("G.E.K.U.P.P.E.L.T.") were re-translated, as well as the show being re-choreographed and the lighting, sound and orchestrations updated.
2018 Revisions[]
The 30th anniversary of the German production saw major revisions, similar in scale to the 1992 "'New' Starlight Express" in London. The reworked material strongly resembled the 2017 Workshop.
For full information see here: 2018 Bochum Revisions
Temporary closures[]
The German production has taken temporary breaks to allow the set to be refurbished throughout its run.
On 13 May 2018, the show closed for a few weeks to allow the installation of the updated technology for the show's 30th anniversary overhaul.
In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production reduced the audience capacity to below the 1,000 advised limit on public gatherings - leaving the 1,600 seat theatre half empty rather than cancelling performances. A week later, however, they cancelled performances altogether in response to updated medical advice. The re-opening was pushed back several times. The show finally re-opened on 3rd October 2021.
Musical Numbers[]
For complete Running Orders through the years, See Here.
Musical Numbers 2018 Onwards[]
Cast[]
Generally the new cast is announced in February as they begin rehearsals, to begin performances at the end of May/early June. Historically there were some smaller cast changes in November, or cast have joined to provide injury or maternity cover as needed.
1988 Cast[]
| Rusty | Steven Michael Skeels | Pearl | Maria Jane Hyde |
| Greaseball | Paul Kribbe | Dinah | Natalie Howard |
| Poppa | Trevor Michael Georges | Ashley | Roslyn Howell |
| Electra | Eric Clausell | Buffy | Carol Hoffman |
| Rocky 1 | Lamott Atkins | Flat-top | Mark Hogarth / Michael Rivera |
| Rocky 2 | Sebastian Craig | Dustin | Garry Noakes |
| Rocky 3 | Gregory McKinnon | Caboose | Hans Johansson |
| Rocky 4 | Rodney McGuire | ||
| Krupp | Wilton Anderson | Bobo | Allan Edwards |
| Wrench | Louise Conte | Espresso | Frido Ruth |
| Purse | Christopher Todd | Weltschaft | Jens Klarskov |
| Joule | Janina Baucke | Turnov | Hansgeorg Gantert |
| Volta | Leesa Osborn | Hashamoto | Ric Mount |
| Gang | Steven Kent Dry | Gang | Nigel Casey |
| Swing | Gabriella Almerigi | Swing | Claudia Bradley |
| Swing | Renee Chambers | Swing | Nicky Forsyth |
| Swing | Petra Friedl | Swing | Johanne Simpson |
| Swing | Jan Apel | Swing | Martin Boothe |
| Swing | Simon Harrison-Scott | Swing | Kapa Kitchen |
| Swing | Peter Liciaga | Swing | John Little |
| Swing | Alfonzo Marino | Swing | Glenn Neate |
| Swing | Windsor Robinson | Swing | Marc-Anthony Satan |
| Swing | Michael Rivera | Swing | Bernie Blanks |
Further Cast Information[]
Current Cast 2024-25[]
Galleries[]
| 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 |
| 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| 2024 |
Media[]
Cast Recordings[]
The German production has multiple cast recordings: Initially in 1988 a "Concept Album" was recorded with original cast singing remastered, heavy pop inspired versions of the songs from the show; in 1989 a complete, live cast recording was made, which genuinely represents the entire live show. In 1991 a Highlights album was made with the current cast, rather than producing an edited version of the 1989 album. In 2003, a 5-track EP was made to promote the updates to the show - featuring "Crazy" and "Next Time You Fall In Love" along with the Megamix, which had recently been added to the show. The 2013, 25th anniversary cast made a complete live recording, however its publication was delayed to 2015.
Complete Live Recording
Remastered artwork
Highlights Album
(5-track EP)
Musical Showstar 2008[]
In March 2008, Starlight Express ran a talent competition with German Television to find the next Rusty and Pearl. The show started on 31 March and was called 'Musical Showstar 2008'. The competition was won by Kevin Köhler and Anna-Maria Schmidt. Schmidt dropped out of training, but Köhler premiered as Rusty on 1 August 2008.
News Articles[]
Children's Workshop Days - 2010 onwards
Public Promotion appearances - 2014
The Stage - May 2016
One Night Only - English performance The Guardian, April 2017
References[]
- ↑ Steven Rosso, Twitter
- ↑ Starlight Express Alumni Podcast, Robert Pigott and Jim Harrison
- ↑ Starlight Express Alumni Podcast
- ↑ Fraley, Michal: Skating the Starlight Express (2011), ISBN: 978-1-4583-7432-5