STARLIGHT EXPRESS

As I have said many times before – Fusion is a company that takes chances and often chooses a musical that other amateur groups would not attempt. So it is with a show for which the entire cast has to learn to roller skate before rehearsals can even begin!! I understand that Jillian learned alongside her cast and went on to choreograph an amazing production.

Most accomplished skater, Ethan Haddock, happened to have the best voice as well and was ideal for the role of Rusty the steam engine. Ethan’s inspirational role in which he is the underdog who wins in the end, was a star with low key excellence. Rory Jeffers was Greaseball, the American diesel engine, who was proud, boastful and a bit of a bully. Rory’s larger frame and big voice allowed him to emulate that character while James Marsden as Electra, was smaller but just as much of a show-off. James was pretty nippy on his skates too! Pearl, the 1st class observation coach, was played by Abbie Watson who also skated well and had great personality. Her role involved ‘coupling’ up with each of the main protagonists in turn but ended up with her first love Rusty. Abbie sang both group and solo numbers with strong and sometimes passionate voice – the best known number “Only You” was a highlight. Pearl’s best friends – Dinah, Buffy and Duvay – were expertly covered by Ellie Bamford, Lucy Fitzpatrick and Anna-Lee Corbett. They all showed good skating skills and differing personalities while singing harmoniously as a tight knit group. Daniel Marshall played Poppa, the retired champion steam engine who now pulls a freight train. He portrayed the old-timer sympathetically and surprised with excellent bass tones in his blues number “Poppa’s Blues”, and in “Light at the End of the Tunnel” and “Starlight Express”. Control - normally a pre-recorded voice-over - was played live by Tiernan Ryan as a young boy playing with his train set and dreaming the whole story. Unfortunately Tiernan’s mic did not work well and a lot of his dialogue was inaudible. I thought he was playing that part because he could not skate but, lo and behold, there he was in the finale joining in on roller skates - as was Marie-Therese Clenaghan as his mother. Many named roles in the show deserved a mention – the three Hip-Hoppers (Jason Tsoutsas, Ian Simpson & Paddy Adair) stood out because of their energetic and gymnastic dance routines. Others including the ‘dancers’ and chorus added speed and excitement to routines and sang strongly.

A special floor was laid to facilitate roller skating and the 8 piece band was situated front stage left. A mock railway viaduct spanned the back of the stage with 3 arches through which skaters entered and rolled down onto the main stage. Poppa was the only one to appear on top of the viaduct. Projections were shown on a large screen above it. Costumes made by Jean McCollum and Hilary Turner was super – a great variety of styles and sparkley colours with pads on shoulders, coloured tights and knee pads (often colour matched or sparkley). I thought Rusty’s rust coloured costume with a ‘flame’ on the front was particularly appropriate for a steam engine. Facial make-up was enhanced with individual glitter detail which showed up well in the rainbow coloured futuristic lighting. Sound was mostly well balanced even though Ian’s 8 piece band played the rock, blues and country music with much enthusiasm! Like an opera, most of the dialogue was sung and merged seamlessly into the various styles of song. Ian had invested a lot of work into the music and direction. It must have been challenging to marry the continuing song and dance when skating as well but I saw no tumbles (except when a fall was scripted!). Jillian expected a lot from her cast and her choreography was demanding, adventurous and very well rehearsed. The Megamix Finale left everyone on a high after the whirlwind of energy. Altogether an amazing evening of entertainment. Thank you all.

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