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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.

Production specifics[]

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].

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 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 has been pushed back several times. It is currently set for 3 October 2021.

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[]

Greaseball Electra Rap b12 27

"The Rap" - including song list as of 2012.

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


Musical Numbers[]

For complete Running Orders through the years, See Here.

Cast[]

Every Febuary, new casts are announced and then start rehearsing. Later in the end of May, the performing cast end their contracts and the new cast starts performances in June.

1988 Cast[]

Photo gallery
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[]

1988 - 1997

1998 - 2007

2008 - 2017

2018 - Present

Current Cast 2022[]

Due to COVID, auditions were unable to be held. Most of the cast stayed in and the brought replacements from previous years. Because of this, skate school did not take place and rehearsals began at the beginning of May 2022. The cast list was published in May 2022 before the new cast began.

Role Performer Role Performer
2022 cast
Rusty Max Rizzo Pearl Emilie du Leslay
Greaseball David Brown Dinah Rose Ouellette
Mama Reva Rice Belle the Bar Car Dieuwke Tönissen
Electra Lloyd Davies Carrie the Luggage Van Sydnie Christmas
Rocky 1 Lashane Williams Coco Molly McGuire
Rocky 2 Jordan Rose Espresso Kristian Jacobs (until August) / Terence Uphoff (from August)**
Rocky 3 Cassie Rogers Ruhrgold Cole Dunn
Flat-Top Delano Willemsen Turnov Jay Le Marrec
Dustin Jamie Landmann** Manga Vladimir Hub
Caboose Daniel Ellison Brexit Kevin Kohler
Killerwatt Gary Sheridan
Wrench Lucy Glover Trax Nils Rinas
Joule Ida Swann Trax Jeremy Suarez Jimenez
Volta Jayred Lempriere
Swing Jessie Angell Swing Melanie Dull
Swing Jessica Lapp Swing Clare Maynard**
Swing Helen Petrovna Swing Alexandra Regan
Swing Owen Broughton Swing Kai Cameron-Jay
Swing Brad Corben Swing Michael Eborall**
Swing Luuk Hartog Swing Ryan James
Swing Andrew Millar Swing Tom Nihill
Swing Marc McFadyen Swing Benjamin Van Eelen
Cover Mama Maria Jane Hyde

(* New to the cast)

(** Returning cast members)

Galleries[]

Galleries Year by Year
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

Media[]

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[]

  1. Steven Rosso, Twitter
  2. Starlight Express Alumni Podcast, Robert Pigott and Jim Harrison
  3. Starlight Express Alumni Podcast
  4. Fraley, Michal: Skating the Starlight Express (2011), ISBN: 978-1-4583-7432-5
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