Germany's STARLIGHT EXPRESS to Celebrate 25th Anniversary, June 2013

When the ensemble speeds past the audience on roller skates, wearing glamorous costumes, dancing, singing spine-tingling lyrics that have viewers on their feet, then you are watching STARLIGHT EXPRESS. In June 2013, 250 days from now, the production will celebrate its remarkable 25th birthday. The countdown to the festivities is running and we got a lot coming up! Andrew Lloyd Webber originally created STARLIGHT EXPRESS, inspired by his children. Now, nearly 25 years later, his son Allistair thought up a new love song which the cast in Bochum is already rehearsing intensively.

As further changes additional shades of colours will make the lasers illuminate the show even more impressively and never before have as many stars lit up the theatre sky. A renewal of the sound system to keep STARLIGHT EXPRESS technically up to date is also planned. There is not much time left, but everything will be finished until the 25th birthday, this is a promise to the audience!

To this day more than 14 million visitors have seen this most artistically and technically demanding of shows. They have been captivated by the wonderful melodies of Andrew Lloyd Webber, making STARLIGHT EXPRESS in Bochum/Germany - currently the only staging of this show worldwide - the most successful musical of all time.

Roller skates that emit sparks, smoke grenades, daring stunts and technology used to perfection all come together to create breath-taking effects. In the stunning atmosphere of the specially built STARLIGHT EXPRESS Theatre a total of 1.100 m² of stage space are combined to form ever-changing planes. The skating paths are like railway tracks and extend right into the auditorium.

The storyline: It is evening and a mother reminds her small child to put his toy-trains away and to go to bed. In the child's dream, the locomotives come alive: It is the night of the world championships for locomotives.

The young steam locomotive Rusty, charming but definitely no longer technically up to date, appears to stand no chance against its more modern challengers, such as the macho Greaseball. This self-confident diesel locomotive rocks like Elvis and conquers the hearts of its many female fans. When Electra, an ultra-modern e-locomotive, suddenly makes its appearance, the situation seems hopeless for the young steam locomotive. Beautiful Pearl, a 1st-class coach, leaves Rusty for Electra.

Three, two, one- go! The flags come down, the lights flash and the helmets sparkle. Locomotives and their coaches are hurtling along the tracks at lightning speed. The conflict between the trains comes to a climax, since the methods used to win this international race are not always fair. Suddenly it appears, the legendary "Starlight Express", like a fiery comet's tail in the sky. The night is full of glittering stars as Rusty finds out what is most important in life: believing in yourself. He finds new courage to enter the finale - and Pearl begins to understand who her true love belongs to...

Shows: Wednesday 18h30 • Thursday 20h00 • Friday 20h00 AND Saturday 15h00 & 20h00 • Sunday 14h00 & 19h00.

Tickets: Price categories: € 29.90 - 94.90 (plus advance booking fee and € 2 system fee ). Tickets can be booked at www.kartenkaufen.de or from the ticket hotline at 01805 - 2001 (€ 0.14/minute for German landline calls, or mobiles up to a maximum of € 0.42/minute). Tickets are also available from the theatre box-office or any ticket agency. Information: www.starlight-express.de.

STARLIGHT EXPRESS is a production of “Mehr! Entertainment" The company, based in Düsseldorf, operates with its experienced team development, production and marketing of musicals and live entertainment. In addition to the musical productions, tour events and the exhibition TOP SECRET include six renowned theaters to the group. www.mehr-entertainment.de.

Photo Credit: Jens Hauer