The Art of Roller Skating in Starlight Express
From catchy ballads to high action dance routines and spectacular sets, London shows are remembered for being magical. But Starlight Express stands out for something different entirely - roller skates. It’s the world’s only all-skating production, but what makes the roller skating in Starlight Express so unique, iconic and artistic? Let’s take a closer look.
The Choreography Brings Characters to Life
It’s one thing getting an entire cast on wheels. It’s another bringing a show to life through intricate and highly technical choreography. In order for the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to work, characters all need their different way of skating. And the way they skate represents their train type as well as their personality and mood.
For example, since Rusty is a stream train, his movements on stage need to be strong and steady to represent the way a steam train moves. A lot of traditional skating techniques are used to make Rusty recognisable on stage and to help convey his personality. As an electric train, however, Electra is a lot more modern and zippy, benefitting from innovations. Her skating can therefore be smooth, fast and full of flashy movements. As you can see, the contrast between the two characters now becomes instantly recognisable - and that’s before costumes and lighting have been added.
Let’s also throw Greaseball into the mix, a diesel train that’s full of confidence. Her skating is powerful and showy, helping the audience to feel her presence. Through clever and deliberate skating techniques, movement becomes storytelling.
The Need for Technical and Skilled Skate Routines
Being part of the Starlight Express theatre show is no easy task. The stage includes ramps, curves and a multi-level track system that encircles the audience. Skaters therefore need to be part athletes, part dancers and be able to navigate high-speed routines, sometimes with jumps, spins and rapid turns. With such demanding skating routines woven into the show, performers must maintain high fitness levels and execute moves with extreme precision and balance. After all, a simple mistake could throw a whole routine off sync, minimising its dramatic effect.
Skating Becomes a Live Action Spectacle
The skating element is what draws global audiences to buy Starlight Express tickets. The races are choreographed like dance battles on wheels, full of stunts and near-misses. As well as being highly accurate, skaters must learn to work in groups, skating in synchronised formations with other performers. This is definitely no easy task and something that requires practice and hard work.
While lighting and music help to build tension, it’s the way the skaters interact with each other that really brings the show to life. Skaters must also interact with lighting and projection cues in real-time, often being tracked to sync with visual effects. After all, one mistimed move could again throw a whole sequence off.
The cast of Starlight Express truly is talented. Buy your tickets today with KX Tickets and catch them in action at the specially constructed Starlight Auditorium at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
