5 Reasons Why Lighting is Important for Starlight Express
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning production, Starlight Express, is currently playing at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre - and what a show it is. As the world’s only musical to be performed entirely on roller skates, this production stands out for its daring stunts and high-energy choreography. But the skill of the cast isn’t the only thing that impresses audiences; cutting-edge lighting and projection techniques also elevate the show’s immersive experience. So here are five reasons why lighting is so important.
1. Lighting Creates the Illusion of Speed and Motion
When you go to the theatre, you expect to be drawn into the drama of the production, and standards are rising as new technology is introduced. In Starlight Express, lighting is used to create the illusion of speed and motion. During the race scenes, strobe lights, fast-moving beams and chasing lights simulate the sensation of trains racing at full speed, amplifying the sense of velocity as the skaters whizz around the tracks.
2. Lighting Enhances Storytelling and Emotion
The Starlight Express musical might be a high-energy show but it’s also full of emotion, with lighting helping to enhance both storytelling and emotion. Lighting colours, intensity and patterns change frequently to help convey the mood of a particular scene. For example, soft blue lighting is used for emotional moments such as Rusty’s ballads, whereas the boldness of red is used to highlight conflict and drama or moments of tension and rivalry - particularly in scenes involving characters like Greaseball.
3. Lighting Focuses the Audience Attention
Lighting Director, Howard Hudson, uses lighting very carefully to focus audience attention on something specific. For example, lighting guides the viewers’ eyes to the main action, preventing them from being distracted by busy sets with a large ensemble. Spotlights and tracking lights follow key characters during solos or important moments too.
4. Lighting Helps to Create a Futuristic Fantasy World
The Starlight Express show is well-known for its futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic, complete with plenty of metallic and neon-drenched elements. To ensure the lighting matches the set and costumes, neon-style lighting strips and programmable LED fixtures are used to create a sci-fi, digital feel. This evokes the energy and glow of high-speed circuits or urban cityscapes. Skaters are also often outlined in glowing light, helping to give them a futuristic appearance.
5. Lighting Helps to Distinguish Characters
Lighting plays a pivotal role in distinguishing characters, ensuring the audience can quickly identify who is on stage. For example, Rusty (The Steam Train) is lit up with warm tones like orange and red. These colours evoke warmth and energy of steam and help convey Rusty as both passionate and determined. Electra (The Electric Train), on the other hand, is lit up with bright blues and whites. These hues show Electra to be modern and high-tech, symbolising innovation.
If you want to see Starlight Express at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, be sure to book your tickets today. Enjoy an adventure to remember and experience one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musicals live.
