The track marshals are, of course, essential for the great race. Like motorsport marshals, their job is to carry and wave the flags that start and finish races, make sure that races are safe, and help broken-down competitors. They also tend to align with Greaseball and his gang, suggesting they may not be impartial.
The Marshals are generally played by the performers playing National Engines, while not needed in their specific characters. From 2003 onwards, the "Trax" roles were created as specific stunt skaters who are identified as track marshals.
Ensemble Marshals[]
Race Marshals and Trax, Bochum 2011
From the original production onwards, the Race Marshals were played by the National Engines not involved in that specific race. The Marshal costumes consisted of simple, brightly coloured bib, kneepads and helmets over the plain black Gang ensemble costumes, allowing for quick changes between scenes. Despite the addition of the Trax performers, the ensemble Marshals continued to be used.
Designs[]
London[]
Bochum[]
US Productions[]
Trax[]
Entry of the Nationals - Ruhrgold Bochum 2014
History[]
Trax's origin can be traced to the Las Vegas production. The production employed Todd Lester, an ensemble member with stunt-staking experience, as 'The Flying Marshal' – a track marshal who would perform stunts in the run-up to each race.
This role was expanded upon for the 2003 US Tour, with stunt skaters being formally added to the cast, and given the character name 'Trax'.
Trax roles were added to the German production in 2005.
Role[]
The Trax performers wear inline-skates, rather than quad skates like the rest of the cast. As they are stunt performers rather than actors, the Trax tend not to take part in ensemble numbers, sing or interact with many of the other characters in the show.
They accompany the National Engines on their introductions, carrying flags and helmets, they "Check the race track" before each race, taking the opportunity to perform stunts. During the races the Trax are usually pushed aside as they guide the racers around the circuit or try to clear up crashed racers. Sometimes showing their questionably partial nature by slowing down Dustin in the final race. A Trax member has occassionally taken over for Race 2's Poppa jump stunt.
Gallery[]
Las Vegas[]
Bochum, Germany[]
US Tour 2003[]
UK Tour 2004 - 2008[]
New Zealand 2009[]
UK Tour 2012 - 2013[]
Cast[]
Bochum, Germany
US Tour 2003 - 2004
| 2003 - 2004 | Ben Tucker Rotundo |
UK Tours 2004 - 2008
| 2004 - 2008 | Matt King |
NZ Tour 2009
| 2009 | Matt King | Leo Terris |
UK Tour 2012-2013
| 2012 - 2013 | Matt King |
| Asia 2013 | Matt King |
Fan Theories[]
See Here for Fan theories about Marshals / Trax.