Podcast Summary: "Starlight Express is coming back to London! | What we know about the 2024 Troubadour revival"

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey Jo)
• Episode Title: Starlight Express is coming back to London! | What we know about the 2024 Troubadour revival
• Release Date: September 19, 2023

1. Exciting Announcement: Starlight Express Revival in London

Mickey Jo kicks off the episode with palpable excitement announcing the return of Starlight Express to London:

[00:00] "Woohoo. Starlight Express. Starlight Express. Oh my God."

He confirms that the long-rumored revival is officially set:

[02:10] "Finally, it's been announced it's going to be happening in June of 2024 at the Troubadour Wembley Park in Wembley."

2. Background of Starlight Express

Mickey Jo delves into the history and evolution of Starlight Express, emphasizing its unique concept where actors portray trains:

[05:30] "These actors are playing trains and carriages and dining cars... the whole show is always performed on roller skates."

He shares a personal anecdote, highlighting the show's physically demanding nature:

[07:15] "I broke bones trying to learn how to roller skate. I ended up being a singing offstage train."

3. Plot Overview and Themes

Providing a succinct plot summary, Mickey Jo likens Starlight Express to "Toy Story for trains," outlining the central race and character dynamics:

[12:45] "Starlight Express is set within the world of a child who is playing with his train set... there's going to be this big race happening towards the end of the show."

He highlights the diverse range of train characters, including competitive, emotional, and queer-coded trains:

[15:20] "There are queer-coded trains in this. It's all going on."

4. Details from the Press Release

Mickey Jo reads and analyzes key points from the press release, emphasizing the innovative aspects of the revival:

[21:00] "The iconic musical returns to London in summer 2024... at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre."

He notes the collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Michael Harrison:

[23:30] "Michael Harrison, who produced the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat revival, is thrilled to bring Starlight Express back."

5. Creative Team Behind the Revival

The episode outlines the esteemed creative team involved in the new production:

• Director: Luke Shepard

  [35:00] "He directed In Dreams that I loved at Leeds Playhouse. His production of The Little Big Things has just opened."

• Creative Dramaturg: Dame Arlene Phillips

  [37:15] "She was a choreographer on the original production... has brilliant creative insight."

• Set Design: Tim Hatley

  [39:40] "He did the set design for Back to the Future: Again... really cool stuff."

• Video Design: Andre Goulding

  [41:05] "He did the video design for Life of Pi."

• Costume Design: Gabriella Slade

  [42:50] "Won the Tony Award for her costume design for Six... expressive use of color and metallics."

• Lighting Design: Howard Hudson

• Sound Design: Gareth Owen

• Orchestrations and Musical Supervision: Matthew Brind

Mickey Jo emphasizes the synergy of this team in revitalizing Starlight Express:

[45:20] "Every other person on this creative team has a credit that makes you go, oh my gosh."

6. Innovations in the Revival

Highlighting technological and experiential enhancements, Mickey Jo discusses the immersive nature of the new production:

[28:10] "The world's first truly immersive musical... unlike the semi-immersive Newsies revival."

He reveals the introduction of moving seats, drawing parallels to previous productions:

[31:30] "Lloyd Webber has teased that the auditorium is going to do really cool things and that the seats are going to move."

Mickey Jo speculates on the impact of these innovations:

[32:50] "I think that's perfect for Starlight Express. It makes sense for a show that's all about trains racing around."

7. Casting Speculations and Inclusivity

Mickey Jo shares his thoughts on potential casting choices, emphasizing the importance of roller skating ability and diversity:

[49:00] "Millie O'Connell is someone who would not only be great in Starlight Express but also can probably roller skate."

He advocates for inclusive casting, particularly for performers with disabilities:

[55:30] "I see no reason whatsoever why this new production shouldn't feature a wheelchair user or multiple wheelchair users."

Mickey Jo suggests specific performers and roles, highlighting the show's opportunity for meaningful representation:

[58:20] "Amy Trigg would be a sensational diner... a wheelchair user could be cast as Rusty, the underdog steam train."

8. Anticipation and Community Engagement

Closing the episode, Mickey Jo expresses his eagerness to witness the revival and engages with his audience:

[1:05:00] "I'm so excited for this show to come back to London. I know a lot of you will be as well."

He encourages listeners to share their thoughts and experiences:

[1:07:10] "If you've seen Starlight Express before, let us know where you saw it. Let us know what you think of the show."

Mickey Jo reiterates his enthusiasm for upcoming content related to the revival:

[1:10:00] "Hopefully, I will be going to see the show next year and there will be lots of vlog content around that and there will be a review."

Key Takeaways:

• Starlight Express Revival: Scheduled for June 2024 at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London.
• Innovative Venue: The specially designed Starlight Auditorium will feature immersive elements, including moving seats.
• Creative Team: Esteemed professionals like Luke Shepard (Director), Arlene Phillips (Creative Dramaturg), Tim Hatley (Set Design), and Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) are leading the production.
• Casting and Inclusivity: Emphasis on diverse and inclusive casting, including potential roles for performers with disabilities.
• Engagement: Mickey Jo actively seeks audience interaction and feedback, fostering a community around theatre criticism.

Notable Quotes:

• On Excitement:

  [00:00] "Woohoo. Starlight Express. Starlight Express. Oh my God."

• On Immersive Experience:

  [28:10] "The world's first truly immersive musical... unlike the semi-immersive Newsies revival."

• On Casting Inclusivity:

  [55:30] "I see no reason whatsoever why this new production shouldn't feature a wheelchair user or multiple wheelchair users."

• On the Revival's Potential:

  [45:20] "Every other person on this creative team has a credit that makes you go, oh my gosh."

Conclusion:

Mickey Jo's episode on the impending revival of Starlight Express in London is a thorough and passionate exploration of what promises to be a groundbreaking production. From the innovative immersive elements and moving seats to the stellar creative team and inclusive casting possibilities, the revival aims to honor the original while pushing theatrical boundaries. Listeners are left with a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for the future of this iconic musical.