The French Engine

Bobo is a French TGV (train à grand vitesse"- "high speed train", though in the London production he was identified as "the 120 mile-per-hour Sudest")

Personality

He is comically French in his character and over-the-top mannerisms. Bobo is often heard ad-libbing French phrases in reaction to the events around him.

Role

In the original London production, Bobo raced with Ashley in heat 3 and was narrowly beaten by Poppa with Dustin. He is heard clearly in The Rap arguing that rather than Rusty taking Poppa's place, Bobo should as he came a close second. In the later version of the London show, when two racers from each heat make the final, Bobo and Ashley take the fourth place but are knocked out during the final race.

In the Broadway and subsequent productions, Bobo races with Buffy not Ashley, and does not make the final.

In the Japan/Australia tours, Bobo had an identical "brother" by the name of Coco. The ensemble roles were doubled to fill the enormous arena-sized stage.

Bobo was replaced in the Mexican production, and cut from the 2003 US and 2004 UK tours.

The actor who plays Bobo often understudies Electra and/or Rusty.

Coco the Eurostar

In 2018, the Bochum production underwent significant revisions for the show's 30th anniversary. This included altering Bobo to the Coco Chanel-inspired token Female Engine. She received a new costume design, wearing the French Flag as a skirt, and although she clearly is branded "TGV", she is designated "The Underwater Train", the "Eurostar". This train, in real life, travels between Britain, France and Belgium, and is not specifically a French entity. It travels through the Channel Tunnel, hence the reference to the "Underwater train". 

Appearance

Gallery

Cast

London

Broadway

Japan / Australia Tours

Bochum, Germany

US Tour 1989 - 1991

Las Vegas 1993 - 1997

US Tour 2003 - 2004 (Cut)

UK Tours 2004 - 2008 (Cut)

NZ Tour 2009 (Cut)

UK Tour 2012-2013 (Cut)