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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express is heading out on a world tour, with initial dates and venues now confirmed for a production that has been redesigned for theatres across the UK and beyond.
The tour will open at Curve in Leicester from 9 to 22 May 2027, before moving on to Liverpool, Glasgow, Sunderland, Birmingham and Southampton. Further cities are yet to be confirmed, with dates in Canada and Australia also expected to be announced in due course.
From London revival to global tour
The new production of Starlight Express opened at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London in June 2024. It went on to win multiple awards, including an Olivier Award and seven WhatsOnStage Awards, and became London’s longest running revival of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in 20 years.
The world tour version has been redesigned for touring theatres while retaining the staging and production elements of the London show.
Michael Harrison, who is producing the tour for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, outlined his expectations for the production.
“We are thrilled to be launching this major new tour of Starlight Express. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score, combined with the show’s unique sense of spectacle, exhilaration and heart, continues to captivate audiences across generations,” Harrison stated.
“This new production builds on everything people love about the show, featuring a dynamic new set design by Tim Hatley. It’s going to be an unmissable theatrical event, pulling into a station near you.”
A show seen by millions
Starlight Express has been seen by more than 30 million people worldwide. The musical tells the story of a child’s train set that magically comes to life as engines race to become the fastest in the world. Rusty, a steam train with little hope of winning, finds inspiration in the legend of the Starlight Express.
The show features a cast performing on skates at speed, with songs including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the title track Starlight Express.
Creative team
The production features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. It is directed by Luke Sheppard, with set designs by Tim Hatley, costume designs by Gabriella Slade, lighting designs by Howard Hudson and sound designs by Gareth Owen.
New orchestrations are by Matthew Brind with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and music supervision is by Matthew Brind and David Andrew Wilson. Choreography is by Ashley Nottingham, with Arlene Phillips serving as Creative Dramaturg.
Casting for the world tour is yet to be announced.
For ticket information and tour dates, visit tour.starlightexpress.com.
