German STARLIGHT EXPRESS Presents First English Version, March 28

After almost 29 years, the successful musical is trying out an experiment and, at the same time, fulfilling a dream of many international fans: in an unusual special show at 6.30pm on 28 March 2017, the German STARLIGHT EXPRESS company will be presenting the Bochum version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's worldwide musical hit in the English language for the first time.

To create this unique experience, it was necessary not just to completely retranslate some scenes that don't appear in the original English version, but also to make a new recording of an English child's voice perfectly adapted to the Bochum show which will be played as the narrative "Control Voice". This meant plenty of work for the creative team led by Steven Rosso, artistic director of STARLIGHT EXPRESS: "Our music department, the sound technicians and of course our performers have had a great deal to do, in order to bring a perfect English show onto the stage in March. But our many English-speaking performers are really looking forward to finally being able to perform a show in their native language!"

No other musical in the world has been playing for so long in a single location as STARLIGHT EXPRESS: nearly 29 years without interruption, at least seven times per week. More than 16 million visitors have experienced the world championship locomotive race in Bochum. This masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most elaborate musicals ever: a roller-skating track winds through the stalls and audience seating - the public is therefore right at the centre of the action and feels the gusts of air from the performers skating by on roller-skates at speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour.

In the evening, the mother tells her small child to put away his toy trains and go to sleep. In the child's dream, the locomotives and carriages come to life. Trains from distant places roll into the station: It is the night of the locomotives' world championship race.
The young steam engine Rusty, who is likable but no longer very technically up-to-date, seems to have no chance against his more modern challengers. Rusty battles desperately against the macho Greaseball. The rockin' diesel engine wins the heart of the female carriages by the dozen. And when Electra, the hypermodern electric engine, turns up and Pearl, who Rusty is in love with, captivates the first-class carriage, it starts to look as if the young steam engine will lose the battle.

Three, two, one - go! The flags drop, lights flash and helmets glitter. At lightning speed, the locomotives dash around the track with their carriages. The conflict between the trains keeps on intensifying - they don't always play fair in this international match. Suddenly he appears like a radiant comet in the sky: the legendary "Starlight Express". The night is filled with glittering stars as Rusty discovers what really counts in life: believing in yourself. He goes into the final round with new courage. And Pearl begins to realise who she really loves...

Further information and tickets via www.starlight-express.de/en/tickets.

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