For Immediate Release
Top-Notch West End Artists to Star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Musical-on-Roller-Skates STARLIGHT EXPRESS
(Hong Kong, 9 September 2013) From the creator of The Phantom Of The Opera, CATS and Evita comes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS, which will explode onto the Hong Kong stage in October, direct from a sell-out UK tour. Renowned for having its actors perform on roller-skates, the musical’s South-East Asian Premiere will open at the Lyric Theatre, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, on 4 October for a strictly limited season before moving to the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
The full cast for STARLIGHT EXPRESS’ Hong Kong season was recently announced following auditions in London. The lead roles are filled by some of the most seasoned West End artists, including:
Julian Cannonier as Poppa, an old retired steam engine; Mykal Rand as Electra, a brand new electric train; Kristofer Harding in the role of Rusty the steam train; Jamie Capewell as Greaseball the diesel train; and Leanne Garretty playing Pearl the observation car.
“You have to see it, and you still won’t believe it” The Daily Telegraph, UK
James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, says, “We are bringing to Asia, with Hong Kong being the first stop, a first-class production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS, featuring top-notch West End artists. It is total energy from start to finish, and tells a moving story that connects with audiences of all ages.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical-on-roller-skates is one of the best-loved, longest-running and most unique musicals in theatrical history. Light years ahead of the rest, STARLIGHT EXPRESS is a futuristic tale about love, rivalry and hope in the face of adversity, delivering two hours of speed, energy, 3D spectacle, daredevil stunts and turbo-charged excitement.
Originally conceived as a cartoon story for his own children, Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece tells the story of a child’s dream, in which toy trains come to life and compete to become the fastest engine in the world, while also competing for the affections of the glamorous coaches with whom they must ‘couple-up’.
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“A musical that surpasses everything around in every dimension” The Daily Express, UK
With the entire cast of 28 on roller-skates, STARLIGHT EXPRESS continues to astound audiences with its speed and skill, showcasing extraordinary roller-choreography from the renowned West End choreographer Arlene Phillips. The story hurtles along against a backdrop of high-tech staging, 3D projection, special effects and a pulsating score. The high-voltage Lloyd Webber/David Yazbek soundtrack draws inspiration from numerous music styles, from rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, rap, country and western, and contemporary pop acts.
The challenge of designing and creating costumes that resemble different types of trains, while providing full movement and a degree of protection for the actor, resulted in ground-breaking designs. The show’s dazzling costumes and sets, by the legendary West End designer John Napier, have won numerous awards – two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding Set Design and for Outstanding Costume Design in 1987, and the Tony Award for Best Costume Designer in 1987.
The original West End production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS electrified the theatre world in 1984, running for almost 18 years. Since then there have been a further seven major productions, including Broadway, USA/Canada Tour, Las Vegas, Japan, Australia/Japan Tour, Mexico and Germany, where the show is still running after 25 years. So far more than 25 million people worldwide have enjoyed a thrilling ride aboard STARLIGHT EXPRESS.
This production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS comes direct from a highly successful UK tour. It is produced by Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group in association with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.
Don’t miss the Hong Kong debut of this legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical – it’s time to buckle up for the trip of a lifetime!
“Extremely impressive, superb; it is a real knock-out” The British Theatre Guide, UK * * *
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NOTES TO THE EDITOR About the Principals of STARLIGHT EXPRESS Julian Cannonier playing Poppa, an old retired yet wise steam engine Born in Yorkshire, England, Julian has appeared in many musical theatre productions in London’s West End, around the United Kingdom and on international tours. Julian grew up appearing in the West End, making his debut at an early age as Cagey Joe in the original production of Bugsy Malone. After this followed shows such as Annie Get Your Gun, Starlight Express, Five Guys Named Moe, Miss Saigon, Dancing In The Streets, 125th Street, Sister Act with Whoopie Goldberg, and Sir Trevor Nunn’s production of Porgy And Bess. He was lucky enough to go on tour with many of these shows, both around the UK and internationally. Other appearances include Scar in The Lion King at Disneyland Paris, Oh! What A Night, A Tribute To The Blues Brothers, The Magic Of Musicals and Tapping Harlem.
Mykal Rand playing Electra, a brand new state-of-the-art electric engine Mykal is a veteran performer with Starlight Express. He has worked on this new production in the UK as associate director, associate choreographer and recreating the role of Electra. This is familiar territory for Mykal, having performed in Starlight Express in London, Japan, Germany, UK Tour and New Zealand Tour, where he was also associate director and associate choreographer. Parts played include Rusty, Poppa and Electra. Mykal can also be heard on the new soundtrack of Starlight Express from Bochum in Germany, where he was recently asked to perform the role of Electra for the 25th Anniversary celebration. Mykal has just finished directing and choreographing a production of the musical Grease for Festival Ljubljana.
Kristofer Harding playing Rusty, a shy and naïve steam engine who is in love with Pearl Kristofer has performed the principal roles of Roger in Grease in the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre and Jamie in the London Premiere of The Last Five Years at the off-West End venue The Menier Chocolate Factory. He is a seasoned performer with Starlight Express having played the role of Rusty in the UK and Scandinavian Tours 2008-09 and 2012-13. Kristofer has most recently been performing backing vocals for Josh Groban on his sell-out UK tour. He graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with a First Class Honours in his BA Musical Theatre degree.
Jamie Capewell playing Greaseball, an Elvis look-alike diesel engine Jamie has performed the lead role of Danny and the principal role of Kenickie in the West End production of Grease and on UK Tour. He is a highly experienced performer in Starlight Express having played the role of Greaseball and been Skate Captain on the UK Tour, and played Dustin/Greaseball in Bochum, Germany. Jamie’s other musical theatre credits include Will Scarlett in Robin Hood (Bradford Alhambra) and Elvis in Elvis the Musical. Jamie trained at The London School of Musical Theatre after completing a National Diploma in Performing Arts.
Leanne Garretty playing Pearl, an observation car who can’t make up her mind Leanne is no stranger to Starlight Express having played numerous female leading roles in Bochum, Germany, including Dinah, Pearl, Joule, Buffy and Ashley. Her other musical theatre credits include: Scaramouche in We Will Rock You (UK Tour), Disney's High School Musical (UK Tour), Aladdin (Theatre Royal, Windsor), and The Jazz Dance Company (UK Tour). Leanne was the recipient of the Merrifield Award for all-round performer and for most outstanding performance in the The Jazz Dance Company. She trained at London Studio Centre. Starlight Express press release Page Four
About the Creative Team of STARLIGHT EXPRESS STARLIGHT EXPRESS is created and composed by Grammy® award winning Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips CBE, with lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and additional lyrics by David Yazbeck. Set and costume designs are by John Napier, orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show’s musical director is Tom De Keyser and 3D film scenes are by Julian Napier.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Creator and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is the composer of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat® , Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, CATS, Starlight Express, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, The Woman in White and Love Never Dies. As well as many of his own shows his producer credits include his smash hit productions of The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre and the Kennedy Center Honor. He currently owns six London theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and the London Palladium. He was knighted in 1992 and created an honorary life peer in 1997.
Arlene Phillips, Director and Choreographer Arlene Phillips CBE is a celebrated choreographer and showbiz legend. She has worked with stars from film and TV, theatre and arenas, and has become one of Britain’s favourite television judges. Her choreography for hit musicals includes The Wizard of Oz, Starlight Express, Flashdance, The Sound of Music, Grease, We Will Rock You and Saturday Night Fever. Arlene has worked on films from Annie to Monty Python’s Meaning of Life. She has created iconic videos for stars Freddie Mercury, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Queen, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, The Bee Gees, Duran Duran, Aretha Franklin, Boy George, Joan Jett, Kiss, George Michael, Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams. As a TV judge on So You Think You Can Dance, Strictly Come Dancing and Over The Rainbow Arlene has become a showbiz legend honoured by the Queen.
John Napier, Set and Costume Designer John Napier studied Fine Art at Hornsey College of Art in the early 1960s and subsequently theatre design at the Central School of Arts and Crafts under Ralph Koltai. His musical theatre credits include: CATS, Starlight Express, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard. He is also an Associate Designer of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Notable productions for the RSC include Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, King Lear, Once In A Lifetime, The Greeks, Nicholas Nickleby, Hedda Gabler, Peter Pan and Mother Courage. John Napier’s design awards include two Society of West End Theatre awards, an Olivier, a BAFTA, and five Tony Awards for Nicholas Nickleby, CATS, Starlight Express, Les Misérables and Sunset Boulevard. Mr. Napier is a member of the American Academy of Achievement, was elected Royal Designer for Industry in 1996 and is an Honorary Fellow of the London Institute.
Julian Napier, 3D Film Director Julian Napier has been at the forefront of live S3D production for almost a decade, working both in the UK and the USA. His S3D adventures actually began when he directed the stereoscopic race movies for Starlight Express back in 2003. His most recent credits include the very successful London Eye 4D Experience, which he wrote and directed for Merlin Entertainments in 2009 and which is in permanent residence at County Hall in London. That same year he worked with SKY Television as a consultant 3D specialist in the development of their 3D channel. His creative flair and vast technical knowledge of 3D cement his position as one of the foremost 3D directing talents in the UK.
Michal Fraley, Skating Consultant Michal began roller-skating at the age of seven. He started teaching at 19. Michal was appointed to train the original Broadway cast of Starlight Express in New York and since then, has trained over 750 performers for seven productions around the world. Michal was the Skate Director for the 3D film in this production of Starlight Express.
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About Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Originally established in Hong Kong 20 years ago, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is now one of Australasia’s leading producers of live entertainment. The company has staged almost 60 productions in Hong Kong to date, including Les Misérables, Cirque du Soleil's Alegria, Jose Carreras, Chicago, Riverdance, Miss Saigon, Singin’ in the Rain, Saturday Night Fever, We Will Rock You, CATS, STOMP, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Annie, to name just a few. Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is now based in the UK with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and The Philippines.
* * * Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical-on-roller-skates, STARLIGHT EXPRESS Date: From 4th October, 2013 Venue: Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Show Date Show Time Tue - Fri Evening 7:30pm 5 & 19 Oct 2013 (Sat) 2:30pm & 7:30pm 12 Oct 2013 (Sat) 3:30pm & 8pm Sun 2pm & 7pm Price*: $950 (VIP), $850, $595, $395
﹣ A limited number of Full-Time Student tickets are available in A & B Reserve for all performances. ﹣ Family Packages purchase 4 VIP tickets at special Family price of $3,288 per package. (2 Adult + 2 Children aged under 18) ﹣ *Ticket prices are exclusive of HK Ticketing booking fees.
*SAVE 10% when you book two or more shows at the same time including ENNIO MARCHETTO, ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS, BUBBLE MAGIC, STARLIGHT EXPRESS and any ABA Productions Autumn Shows through any HK Ticketing outlet or via hotline 31 288 288, OR present your ticket stub to any HK Ticketing outlet to save 10% on additional tickets (offer applies to A + B Res only. Not applicable to Internet Booking.)
Ticketing Information Tickets priced from HK$395 to HK$950 are available now by calling or visiting the following hotline, site or outlets: - HK Ticketing hotline: 31 288 288 - HK Ticketing website: www.hkticketing.com - HK Ticketing outlets: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, The Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus-Bethanie, AsiaWorld-Expo, Fringe Club, HK International Trade & Exhibition Centre, and all Tom Lee Music outlets
For more information, visit www.lunchbox-productions.com For more details and updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/LunchboxTheatricalProductionsHK * * * The above press release is issued by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Ltd. through PRO Marketing Services Company Limited
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For further Information and interview requests, please contact: Catherine Cheung and Priscilla Lui Ph: (852) 2851 1482 Mob: (852) 9466 4743 e-Mail: [email protected]