Wondering where to sit for Starlight Express London at the Troubadour Theatre? Or which seats will give the best view for children?
The Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park is a purpose-built venue, and its newness means there’s limited information online about the best place to sit for Starlight Express. I deliberated for ages about the original seats I’d booked for my family before eventually moving our seats to ensure the best view for my kids at Starlight Express.
Read on for my guide on where to sit for Starlight Express London to find out which seats are the best for kids and which to avoid. Plus, discover other tips on taking young children to Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre.
Starlight Express was one of the first West End shows I saw as a child. I loved the roller-skating, the characters, and the big set pieces like the bridge during the races. I went on to watch Starlight Express numerous times whilst it was at The Apollo.
It was the New Starlight Express, the version around in the early 90s. I’ve seen the Starlight Express tour a couple of times – in fact, you can click here for my review of the Starlight Express Tour 2012.
And now Starlight Express is back on stage at the Troubadour Theatre Wembley for its 40th anniversary.
When the revival was announced, I knew I would want to take my children along for their first viewing of Starlight Express. I bought our tickets on the first day of sales, opting for the top seats – the First Class Carriages. I’d seen the show from similarly close up as a child and loved how near you were to the characters.
However, when photos of the newly transformed Troubadour Theatre started emerging, I realised that the First Class Carriages might not offer the best view for kids due to their lack of rake. The decision to move our seats was difficult due to the lack of information on the best seating for children at Starlight Express. This guide aims to fill that gap!
Where to Sit for Starlight Express London
Wembley’s Troubadour Theatre has a bespoke seating plan for Starlight Express, with different sections having train-related names. Here’s a summary of each section and my personal verdict on the best seats according to view and value for money.
First Class Carriages
These are sold as the premium seats, offering a super close view of the action, although a lot of it also happens behind you. While I’d like to see the show from here, it wouldn’t be my choice if I were going to see Starlight Express only once. It definitely wouldn’t be my first choice for children.
Ticket prices for the First Class Carriages are £180+, but great rush ticket prices (£45) for single seats are sometimes available.
Platform Carriages
In my opinion, these seats are the best in the house. You’re close enough to feel very immersed, but you also get a full view of the whole stage and lighting effects. The Platform Carriage is where Andrew Lloyd Webber sat for the first preview.
Although more raked than the First Class Carriages, the rake is still quite shallow, so avoid it if you are short. Some action takes place behind you, but you don’t miss as much as in the First Class Carriages.
Trackside
Trackside seats are at the side of the stage, providing a side view and birds-eye angle. Trackside seats wouldn’t be my choice for a first viewing of Starlight Express. The name makes it sound like you will be right next to the track, which you are, but due to it’s high vantage point, trackside seats are not as immersive as they sound.
Locomotive
The Locomotive section comprises the largest section of seats at a cheaper price bracket. All rows are well-raked, offering a full view of all the action with nothing going on behind you.
Our seats were in Locomotive row N, and it provided a perfect view that felt much closer than much closer than all the ‘View From My Seat’ photos made it look.
I’d happily purchase tickets up to row Q. Row R and back may start to feel further from the stage and less immersive, but still offer a decent view at a lower price.
The view from my seat in Row N of the Locomotive Section
Which Ages is Starlight Express Best For?
The best age for Starlight Express is primary school-aged children between 5 and 11. Depending on how much they like musicals and performance, older children will either find Starlight Express tedious or fun.
Starlight Express is brilliant for the right child, but it isn’t the only option. I’ve also rounded up the best West End shows for kids aged 6–11 to help parents choose confidently.
Is Starlight Express Suitable for a 3-Year-Old?
Starlight Express allows ages 3 and up to attend. We took our children between the ages of 8 and 13. However, we chose not to bring our just-turned-four-year-old to Starlight Express because we knew his attention span isn’t quite there yet.
If your three-year-old likes performance and can happily sit through a feature-length film, then Starlight Express could work well for them. It’s one of the most engaging shows for young children, with constant action on and around the stage, plus exciting races!
It’s worth noting that there is next to no dialogue in Starlight Express, the plot is conveyed almost entirely through song, which could be hard for the youngest of audience members to follow.
There’s also the question of toilet visits. Entry to your seats involves walking on the tracks the characters use during the show, making mid-show toilet breaks difficult (and sometimes impossible). If you can exit the auditorium, you will unlikely be readmitted until the interval or the end of the show. If your child cannot reliably wait an hour and 15 minutes before needing the toilet, don’t spend the money on a Starlight Express ticket for them.
Which Seats are Best for Children at Starlight Express London?
Without a doubt, the best seats for children at Starlight Express London are in the Locomotive section. Thanks to its well-raked, grandstand seating, the Locomotive section offers a good view for all ages. From here, it’s also possible to exit the auditorium in an emergency toilet situation, unlike the Platform and First Class Carriage sections, which are difficult to exit at any time during the show due to their proximity to the action.
Seats to Avoid at Starlight Express London
Avoid row K, the first row in the Locomotive section, due to a tall opaque barrier that young children will struggle to see over from a seated position. Also, avoid any Trackside seats that aren’t front row, as the audience in front may block the view for children and smaller audience members.
I wouldn’t necessarily avoid the Platform or First Class Carriages sections if you want that close-up experience. However, the low rake in these sections means your view will depend on who sits in front of you. Personally, I’d rather save money with the cheaper Locomotive seats, where your view won’t be an issue.
Is Starlight Express any good?
Amongst adults, Starlight Express is a very marmite show. The production is high, but the plot is thin. The songs and styling are a bit Eurovision, the action is a bit power rangers.
However, there is something about Starlight Express that captures young imaginations. My children have been singing refrains on repeat since we saw it. And a little girl a few rows in front of us was evidently having the time of her life watching the show. Starlight Express remains a great introductory musical for children.
The 40th anniversary Troubadour production of Starlight Express did not top The New Starlight Express for me. I missed the removed songs, and the pacing did not flow as well. However, it has decent production value and fans of the show will appreciate the nostalgia hit.
By following this guide, you’ll ensure a fantastic viewing experience for your children and make the most of your visit to Starlight Express London at the Troubadour Theatre.
