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Starlight Express, the world’s only musical performed entirely on roller skates, opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London on 27th March 1984.

Written for Andrew’s children in 1984, featuring lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and choreography by Arlene Phillips, Starlight Express was always intended to be nothing other than fun for all the family. The actors, on roller skates, portray various engines in a child’s train set and, in the original production, the Apollo Victoria Theatre was overhauled to include a race track that extended into and around the stalls and around the front of the dress circle.

The original production of Starlight Express was directed by Trevor Nunn. Original London cast members included Ray Shell as Rusty, Jeff Shankley as Greaseball, Jeffrey Daniels as Electra and Stephanie Lawrence as Pearl.