News Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre: Through the Lens of Time-Lapse

Troubadour Theatre Stage Production

At Time-Lapse Systems we work extensively for a number of different theatres all over the UK, including, The Royal Albert Hall, Piccadilly Theatre, Grange Park Opera, BFI Theatre (London Film Festival), Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Lyric Theatre amongst many others. We have also recently time-lapsed the full stage production for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, showing the intricacies and craftsmanship that has gone into creating such an immersive space for attendees.

The Wembley Park Troubadour Theatre, is renowned for its modern take on classic and contemporary performances, recently hosted a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, breathing fresh life into the iconic roller-skating musical. Nestled within the cultural landscape of London, the Troubadour Theatre has developed a reputation for staging immersive, high-energy performances, and their interpretation of Starlight Express was no exception. This vibrant, futuristic musical matched the theatre’s modern and innovative ethos, creating an experience that captivated both fans of the original show and newcomers alike.

The Troubadour Theatre: A Modern Hub for Innovative Theatre

The Troubadour Theatre has become a fixture in London’s performing arts scene due to its versatile space and commitment to accessible, large-scale productions. Opened relatively recently compared to some of the city’s more established venues, the Troubadour prides itself on providing dynamic spaces that can be adapted to suit different kinds of performances. The theatre is housed in locations that allow for creative freedom, offering producers and directors a blank canvas to bring their visions to life. These venues are typically found in more modern settings, like Wembley Park, which provide expansive stages and seating capacities that enable ambitious set designs and immersive audience experiences.

The theatre’s flexibility and emphasis on engagement made it an ideal venue for Starlight Express, a show that demands a unique set-up with its heavy reliance on roller-skating and high-speed action. The Troubadour’s modern infrastructure allowed the production to incorporate state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and projection technologies, elevating the audience’s experience. The expansive performance space was fully utilised to create a dynamic set that included ramps, tracks, and multimedia projections, enhancing the overall spectacle.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express: A Theatrical Phenomenon

Starlight Express, one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most distinctive musicals, first premiered in 1984. Its original production was notable not only for its ambitious storyline, a fantastical race between anthropomorphic trains, but also for its use of roller skates to convey the speed and excitement of the race. Webber’s innovative decision to have the actors perform on roller skates created a sense of kinetic energy that immediately set the musical apart from other West End and Broadway shows of its time.

The plot centres around a young steam engine, Rusty, who dreams of winning a race against more modern engines like the diesel-powered Greaseball and the electric engine Electra. Throughout the story, themes of self-belief, competition, and the clash between tradition and innovation emerge, all set to a score that combines rock, pop, and disco influences. Songs like ‘AC/DC’, ‘Pumpin’ Iron’, and the iconic ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ have made Starlight Express a cult favourite among musical theatre fans. However, it is the spectacle of the roller-skating races, with actors speeding through intricate sets and even past the audience, that truly sets the show apart.

 

The Troubadour’s Vision of Starlight Express: Captured with Time-Lapse Photography

The Troubadour Theatre’s production of Starlight Express was both a nostalgic revival and a modern reinvention. Directed by seasoned industry professionals, the show retained the core elements that made the original production a beloved classic but introduced cutting-edge technology and design to appeal to today’s audiences. Time-Lapse Systems was on-hand to help capture the full stage production of this show which was being revitalised for new audiences. We helped to document a range of significant updates including the enhanced use of multimedia elements. Projections played a key role in setting the scene, transforming the stage into a high-speed railway system that felt more immersive than ever before. The use of video screens to simulate the landscapes through which the trains were racing gave the audience a front-row seat to the action, even when the actors weren’t skating right past them.

The Troubadour’s unique stage setup allowed for an expansive track to be built around the audience, allowing the actors to race in close proximity to the spectators. This interactive aspect of the performance was a nod to the original production’s innovative set design, but with the advantage of modern safety measures and staging techniques, making the experience feel fresh yet faithful to its roots. The audience was drawn into the story, not just as passive viewers, but as participants in the high-octane spectacle of Rusty’s quest to prove himself.

The Troubadour Theatre’s production of Starlight Express has been met with critical acclaim for its ability to stay true to the spirit of the original while also pushing the boundaries of what modern theatre can achieve. The show’s combination of nostalgia, cutting-edge technology, and impressive performances has ensured its success, drawing in both long-time fans of the musical and those experiencing it for the first time.

We were thrilled that we had been trusted to time-lapse the Troubadour Theatre’s staging of Starlight Express which was a thrilling theatrical event that perfectly encapsulated the marriage of tradition and innovation. By leveraging modern technology, an adaptable venue, and a talented cast, the production brought new life to one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most unique musicals, cementing its place in the contemporary theatre landscape while celebrating its rich history. Watch our time-lapse video to see the quality of our work.