Starlight Express - Definition and Overview

Starlight Express is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1984 with lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, it is roughly based on The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. It is the second longest-running musical in London theatre history.

The novelty of this show is that it uses cast members on roller skates to represent railway trains. The plot turns on the rivalry between steam trains and electric or diesel engines.

In 1988 Starlight began a run in German in Bochum, Germany. From 1988 till 2003 it has sold nearly 10 million tickets, making it the third highest selling musical of all time, behind Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, both running on Broadway.

Musical Numbers

Act I.

• Rolling Stock
• Whole Lotta Locomotion
• He'll Whistle at Me
• Freight
• AC/DC
• Pumping Iron
• Crazy
• Make Up My Heart
• Poppa's Blues
• Laughing Stock
• Starlight Express

Act II.

• The Rap
• U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D
• Coaches Rolling Stock
• Wide Smile
• Right Place Right Time
• Starlight Sequence
• One Rock and Roll Too Many
• Only He
• Light at the End of the Tunnel
• Starlight Megamix