Photo: Wunderweib
- How I became a locomotive
- Backstage at the Starlight Express
- More than just a childhood dream - My transformation
- My first time
How I became a locomotive
"My first time Starlight Express was - disturbing because I was not in the musical at all, but on a school trip in elementary school.
My seatmate on the bus had been in the Starlight Express Musical the weekend before, and then he had plenty of time to memorize his favorite lyrics to sing along asynchronously to the sound of his Walkman over 3 hours. This resulted in a very oblique endemic worm, because as the original sounds, I could only guess at that time.
Although I spent my entire childhood just 80km away, it would take me over two decades to finally see the original. Somehow I have never made it in time and so only the experience of the school trip remained in my memory until now.
But when I got the chance to look at it all personally and even backstage, I knew: "Yeah, now my hour has hit and I can finally work on the strange childhood memory with different impressions."
In the best weather, it went on a Friday from Hamburg to Bochum, of course befitting the train. Right mood at 31 degrees outside temperature and a IC without air conditioning did not really pay, but still better than sitting in the office, I thought to myself. In addition, of course, I was editorially prepared for my Starlight Express trip and built up a certain empathy with old trains because of the story of Rusty. After all, the Damfplok Rusty has proven very impressively that, despite the old technology, it is far from being an "old iron".
Backstage at the Starlight Express
On site, I was then led into the sacred backstage halls of the Starlight Express and what I was allowed to experience there, I will not forget so quickly. The 27-year musical success story is reminiscent of numerous photos on the walls, almost every corner is a piece of history
(see also backstage gallery). Whether wardrobe lady, roller skate master or make-up artist, you just notice how great the team is played and how much fun and pride in this work. It is almost like a small town behind the scenes, there is a repair shop, a laundry, a tailor shop and even the materials for the elaborate costumes are made there themselves.
Incidentally, right behind the stage is one of the most important places for the musical performers: the water station! Up to 2 LITERS! The fast-paced Starlight Express stars are losing water at a show. Since you really have every free minute to "refuel" use. Some of the costumes can even weigh up to 18 KILO and how that feels about, I was later even know first-hand.
More than just a childhood dream - My transformation
Without exaggeration, the most impressive thing that I have experienced for a long time now follows. The transformation to a Starlight Express locomotive, but not to any locomotive, but to Rusty, and not just fans of the musical, knows what a great honor it is. After all, Rusty is one of the most popular figures in history. Fortunately, I have exactly the size of a Rusty, but otherwise I have nothing in common with the talent of a Rusty actor.
With my two left feet I stood on the roller skates like a freshly born deer on a frozen lake. But after a few minutes I started to feel better, at least up the foot. I was really surprised how many different details such a costume consists, because not only the knees and arm guards are attached individually, but also the steam boiler and even the basic suit consists of 3 different layers.
After costume, it went into the mask and there I had a small fright second at the sight of my eye make-up: "I look like my mother ... in the eighties!" Please do not get me wrong, of course I think my mother is beautiful, but as a son you do not really want to look like his mother 1: 1.
When I was completely made-up and was allowed to see for the first time in the RUSTY-OUTFIT, the next surprise was already waiting for me. Back in the costume, the real Rusty (Jeffrey Socia) came rolling towards me and that was really something of a magical moment. It was just an incredibly moving feeling to meet the leading actor of the musical, at least visually at eye level. So it looks like someone who really has it, I thought.
Apart from the fact that I really liked the outfit, I still could not roll a meter with the roller skates. It's still easy to "dress up" or dress up, but at the moment I realized how much hard work and training is involved until you really become a running locomotive. By the way, the performers need more than 3 months of intensive training until they are ready to drive and even after that, they have to warm up again before each performance.
As a "movement dyslexic", I have an incredible amount of respect for this job on a roll. Nevertheless, I'm a bit proud that I could stand on the rollers. Although I have to admit that the roles have been tightened for me a little more tight, but at least the knees are not so trembling as in BAMBI.
After meeting with Jeffrey Socia, it came to one of the hardest moments of the day: undress everything! From the dream of lovable locomotive and back to everyday Daniel.
My first time
But the mourning was only for a short time, because a few hours later it was so far and for the first time in my life I was able to experience "Starlight Express" live. Because of this extraordinary perspective, so first getting to know the musical backstage and then being able to experience it live on stage, I was really impressed from the first second on. But even without a backstage tour and rusty disguise, Starlight Express still has an incredible charm after 27 years that you simply can not copy.
You're right in the middle of everything, the theater, the stage, the actors - that's just a perfect symbiosis and I had so much fun that I really regret not having gone much earlier into this cult musical. In any case, I've decided to pay a visit to the good at least once a year and I really hope the Starlight Express in Bochum even his 50! Birthday is allowed, because each generation needs their own personal "Starlight Express" moment.
