All aboard! World tour announced for Starlight Express

Starlight Express first opened in London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre in 1984, where it ran for 17 years. It returned in 2024 to widespread acclaim at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, winning an Olivier Award and seven WhatsOnStage Awards, where it ran until last year. 

“It’s going to be an unmissable theatrical event, pulling into a station near you.”

Michael Harrison, West End producer

Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical has been reworked for theatres across the world to bring audiences the same high-speed energy and neon sparkle in their local venue. The show opens at Curve in Leicester on 9th May 2027, kicking off a world tour that will visit Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, Southampton and beyond. More venues in the UK, Canada and Australia will be announced soon. 

2027 tour dates announced so far

Michael Harrison, producer and founder of Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be launching this major new tour of Starlight Express.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary score, combined with the show’s unique sense of spectacle, exhilaration and heart, continues to captivate audiences across generations.

“This exciting 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.”

An enduring story

Since it’s opening over 40 years ago, Starlight Express has been seen by over 30 million people. The story follows a child’s toy train set that comes to life in dazzling fashion, and as the engines compete to become the fastest in the world, Rusty the steam train takes inspiration from the legend of the Starlight Express. 

The tour is expected to immerse audiences in colour and theatrics as the cast whizzes round on rollerskates while performing the show’s beloved songs, including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the iconic Starlight Express.