Volta is Electra's freezer truck in Starlight Express. As part of the superstar's entourage, Volta is the Personal Assistant, closest to the boss, planned as their race partner in the original show.
Personality[]
As a freezer truck she is an ice queen - cold, aloof, elegant and beautiful. She does not speak apart from to insist that "Electra is Cool" - arguing with Joule who is her polar opposite - loud, impetuous and fiery. Although she is devoted to Electra, she is distracted by Greaseball singing "Pumping Iron", to their annoyance she, Joule and sometimes Wrench, leave their boss to dance with their rival.
In the 2018 Bochum rewrites, Volta's role became male. His personality changed to be more camp and flamboyant. He is now more flirty and sensual like Joule, but not as fiery and explosive.
Tickovers: In the past, Volta mimed fans with her hands, in the 2018 revisions, he now does things like voguing, fixing his hair, or miming applying makeup.
Story[]
In the London production, Volta was to race with Electra until she developed a "Headache" and Electra sent for Pearl - In "Hitching and Switching" it was clear that Volta was Electra's partner, and Purse tells Pearl "His coach has a headache". In the Original production, "Pumping Iron" came before "AC/DC" in the running order, and as the Components had not yet been introduced, the actresses playing Volta and Joule also played 2nd and 3rd class sleepers to add extra dancers to the number.
Once the show went to Broadway, the running order was changed, and the Components danced "Pumping Iron". Volta went on to race with Hashamoto in Heat 1, but is disabled by Caboose. Volta screamed in anger when she was left behind by the racers.
In 2018, the Bochum production underwent significant revisions for the show's 30th anniversary. This included changing Volta's gender from female to male (though both genders cover him). His costume is only slightly altered, with grey leggings beneath the black chaps, and a smaller, "Emo" wig. Volta now races with Espresso in Heat 2.
Appearance[]
Gallery[]
Role[]
2020 Audition Notice
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| Audition Notices |
History[]
Volta is one of the most constant characters in the show, having appeared as a Freezer Truck in every production since the start. The role changed from female to male with the 2018 Bochum rewrites.
Cast[]
London
| 1984 - 1985 | Voyd |
| 1985 - 1986 | Caron Cardelle |
| 1986 - 1987 | C. Jay Ranger |
| 1987 - 1988 | Ruth Welby |
| 1988 - 1990 | ? |
| 1990 - 1991 | Jo-Leigh Whelan |
| 1991 - 1992 | Nicky Lawson |
| 1992 - 1993 | Lyndi Oliver |
| 1993 - 1994 | Lyndi Oliver |
| 1994 - 1995 | Lyndi Oliver |
| 1995 - 1996 | Marissa Dunlop |
| 1996 - 1997 | Rebekka Gibbs |
| 1997 - 1998 | Stephanie Spellman |
| 1998 - 1999 | Danielle Harley |
| 1999 - 2000 | Amanda Valentine |
| 2000 - 2001 | Gabrielle Noble |
| 2001 - 2002 | Louise Jones |
Broadway
| 1987 - 1988 | Mary Ann Lamb |
| 1988 - 1989 | Danielle Burgio |
Japan / Australia Tours
| 1987 | Amanda Abbs |
| 1990 | Leah-Sue Morland & Yuriko Takamori |
Bochum, Germany
| 1988 - 1991 | Leesa Osborn |
| 1991 - 1992 | Jacey Collins / Dawn Leigh Woods |
| 1992 - 1994 | Dawn Leigh Woods |
| 1994 - 1996 | Leesa Osborn |
| 1996 - 1999 | Christine Walsh |
| 1999 - 2018 | Dawn Leigh Woods |
| 2018 - 2019 | Anthony Starr |
| 2019 - 2020 | Anthony Cragg |
| 2020 - 2021 | Jayred Lempriere (Cancelled due to Covid) |
| 2021 - 2023 | Jayred Lempriere |
| 2023 - 2024 | Semme Prins |
| 2024 - 2025 | Patrick King / Joshua De La-Garde (temp) |
US Tour 1989 - 1991
| 1989 - 1991 | Kimberly A Gladman |
Las Vegas 1993 - 1997
| 1993 - 1994 | Anne M. Tiger |
| 1994 - 1995 | Kelly Love |
| 1995 - 1996 | ? |
| 1996 - 1997 | Paula Carlyle |
US Tour 2003 - 2004
| 2003 - 2004 | Suzanne Wogisch |
UK Tours 2004 - 2008
| 2004 - 2005 | Lauren Brooke |
| 2006 - 2007 | Rebecca Lisewski |
| 2007 - 2008 | Saskia Lockey |
NZ Tour 2009
| 2009 | Liv Wakem |
UK Tour 2012-2013
| 2012 - 2013 | Louise Lenihan |
| Asia 2013 | Melanie Firbank |
Wembley, London 2024
| 2024 - 2025 | Ollie Augustin |
Fan Theories[]
See Here for Fan theories about Volta.