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curls101 · 3 months

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Tav Questions - Ralxire Edition

LIST

Listen, this is just for me lol. This is Ralxire Xarmus, he's a Teef Necromancer and an absolute greasy nightmare who I ADORE

Why did you pick the race you did for your Tav?

I am trying to play at least one character of each race in BG3 to see all the custom stuff. I'd tried to make a few Teefs and none of them were really clicking. Ralxire was my latest attempt and I adore him even though I have a LOT of teefs with red skin and black hair. He could be my first DnD character's burnout cousin. But I don't care he's perfect

Why did you pick the class you did for your Tav?

I was DYING to play a Necromancer in this game. I really love the idea of it being the "bad" or "evil" wizard, especially on a good aligned character? I think it's a class that says a lot about the character straight away. Dedicating your life to decay and undeath is not something you do if you're not profoundly weird in a lot of ways

What is your character’s moral alignment?

Probably Chaotic Neutral. He's been growing more towards Chaotic Good into act 3, but if you're romancing 'Star, you're never really getting onto the Good line of the chart.

How did you choose your Tav’s name, if you gave them a unique one?

I thought it sounded like a stage magician! I wanted a lot of harsh sounds (in actual DnD he'd be a feral tiefling, so I wanted something with a demonic twinge), but ultimately he picked his own name and picked something a kid would think was cool. I wanted it to feel like a name a ye olde snake oil salesman would use. Hense: Ralxire Xarmus

What are your character’s strongest and weakest stats (strength, charisma, etc)?

Strongest is INT 20. Weakest is either CHA or STR (from my memory)

What is your Tav’s origin story?

I'll try to keep this *so* short

Street kid in Baldurs Gate. Orphan. The whole deal. Met his "sister" Oriana (made by @ms-scholars-gown-bnoc ) and joined a gang. Kept that up untill they were teens, when Oriana was "rescued" by a noble family who gave her a proper home. A little sad, Ralxire stayed - throwing himself further into his self taught wizardry - stealing what arcane supplies he needed. Established himself as a necromancer for hire. Then Oriana came back. Decided the toff life wasn't for her. So they went back to their old ways then.... Mindflayers.

That's as short as I can physically get it without going super into Ralxire's terrible dating decisions

What was the most significant moment in your Tav’s origin story?

Oriana leaving. Ralxire has a real protective streak and her leaving left him alone for the first time?? Ever??? It made him have to establish himself and he did that TERRIBLY. That's how he managed to become a greaseball asshole, and unfortunately also a very good necromancer. It isn't significant for good reasons, but significant nonetheless.

What deity, if any, does your character worship?

He respects Mystra from a distance, but you're not going to catch him saying grace.

What is your Tav’s biggest priority or goal?

It's gone through some revisions. Since the ship, it's been to restore his old powers and retrieve his old spellbook. That's a constant. Unfortunately, he's also started doing this insane thing called "caring for people"? Crazy. He'll do anything for Astarion - even want him to be better than he is. Hell, he'll become better than HE is for 'Star. Or Oriana.

He's trying, okay?

If your Tav didn’t become an adventurer, what else would they be doing?

NECROMANCY :D

What is your Tav’s most used weapon or spell?

In canon, it's probably Animate Dead or Necrotic touch. In practice, I think it's actually Haste, because I'm a filthy support wizard and I cannot be stopped

What is your Tav’s favorite school of magic/weapon type?

You got one guess.

How does your Tav fight in a combat situation?

More in the mix than your average wizard! He's not formally trained and a little scrappy - a solid handful of his spells are extensions of his claws. He'll be in the mix, throwing out what he can while concentrating on some support spell that makes Oriana into an absolute monster. Paladins, man....

Does your Tav know any other languages besides Common?

Infernal, Abyssal and probably a handful of the Primordials? Contrary to the way he acts and behaves, he is actually smart

If your Tav could/does multiclass, what other class would they choose?

I feel Sorcerer is cheating somehow.... But I truly cannot imagine him multiclassing. Being a wizard is so much of who he is? His life would be a lot more convienient if he was a sorcerer tbh.

Which of the companions does your Tav trust most?

He does trust Astarion. He does. But also it's gotta be Halsin. There's no world it isn't Halsin. Either that or La'zel, because she's always gunna have Oriana's best interests at heart.

Which of the companions does your Tav distrust most?

In truth, this was ALL of the companions in Act 1. Ralxire doens't trust easy. I'm going to cheat my way out of this by saying Jahira and Minsc, just because they're newest.

Who is your Tav’s biggest rival?

Mystic Carrion. Well, he's the biggest FINANCIAL competition. They run the same grift. The true answer is probably Cazador, for obvious Astarion reasons

Who is your Tav romancing, if anyone?

Astarion. Also Halsin, when they're feeling spicy. But 'Star is the love of his damn life, because he has terrible taste and I love that for them

If you’re romancing anyone, why did your Tav fall for them? And why did that character fall for your Tav?

Not even joking: They're both as bad as each other

Astarion obviously moved on Ralxire for manipulation reasons. I'm not going to give Mr No Wisdom the credit of thinking he saw through that. But there's something to nefarious company. Ralxire is a little more cutthroat than his sister. He's had a bad time since she left. So it's nice to feel his defensive impulses (and frequent fits of just sarcastic and mean comments) are appreciated by someone. They would often be at the back of the group, muttering, judging and getting up to crime. They weren't good like everyone else. The rest was inevitable

If you’re romancing anyone, who fell first and who fell harder?

Oh, Ralxire. This is the stuff that makes me insane, actually. So Ralxire's not a complete idiot. He knows his taste is bad. He knows guys like 'Star don't stick around. So he falls early - but he has NO illusions about it ever being reciprocated. He sees it as a flaw in himself - that deep down, under all the nastyness, he's still so so loving and caring, despite his best efforts. He doesn't expect 'Star to feel anything at all. He's waiting for him to move on.

Fortunately, Astarion falls like a meteor when he does.

How does your Tav act around their crush?

Completely normal. See above. He's just a taaaad more protective in ways that will likely go unnoticed by most

What is your Tav’s favorite moment they’ve had with their lover?

When Astarion told him he wanted their relationship to be real. When he levelled with him about the realities of his attractions. Because it was such a sigh of relief for him. He didn't have to pretend to care less - to pretend he was happy with only having sex. Astarions issues with intimacy were something they could work through - and 'Star wanted to work through it WITH him. As a team. It was the best.

What is your Tav attracted to? What are their turn-ons and turn-offs?

Terrible men is his type. If a man is transparently bad for him, Ralxire is all about it. But there has to be some kernel of goodness or they don't get to sleep over.

Does your Tav have any biases against other classes or races?

Of course, traditional Sorcerer vs Wizard beef must be observed. Especially because Oriana is part Sorc. Sibling rivalry is no joke.

What is the most prominent color in your Tav’s color scheme?

Red and Black the whole way down. Sometimes I'll throw in some blue for contrast

What is their sense of humor like?

Driest sarcasm in the west. The kind where you think they're not joking, just being an asshole out of nowhere. When he's around family, he is partial to a dad joke but he wouldn't be caught dead making one

What is your Tav’s guilty pleasure?

I think in reality, Ralxire would indulge in every vice availble to man, but he wouldn't be guilty about it. I think he reads nonfiction for fun. I think he uses the mending cantrip to fix his friend's clothes while they're asleep. I think he really likes fancy food and deserts. That's the stuff he'd feel guilty about.

How easily offended are they? How do they act when offended?

My man has a temper and takes most things as a direct insult to his pride. He has an ego that could eclipse the sun. There's a lot of snarling and exhaling smoke through the nose. There's a lot of saying the first insult that comes to mind. There's a lot of just blurting out the most hurtful shit you can think of as a reflex.

He's... not great at keeping friends. He's working on it.

How does your Tav react when someone insults their friend/partner?

TIME FOR VIOLENCEEE

As I've said, Ralxire is BIG TIME protective. He's normally chill letting everyone else handle things, but if someone starts squaring up or targeting Oriana or 'Star? Violence.

How does your Tav dress for different occasions, like very fancy situations?

Ah, Ralxire's nightmare. He's a street rat - he's never been anywhere remotely fancy. If Astarion doesn't dress him, he'd wear the tackiest, most Look I Have Money getup he could steal. Ralxire is not blessed with drip

How did your Tav get their scars, if they have any?

Oh boy. Ralxire does have facial scarring. Yes, he did it himself. Yes, it was a choice that he then tatted over AND grew facial hair. His lower jaw is a disaster

What is your Tav’s relationship with their family?

Blood family is nonexistant. Oriana is his closest thing. They've had...bumps. But Ralxire doesn't really care about that. He defends what he has

What is your Tav’s opinion on nobility and authority?

No respectable lower city kid LIKES either. Ralxire is no exception. Sorry, Wyll

How does your Tav react to wearing the Wavemother’s robe? How do they react to their partner wearing it?

I can't remember if this is how we discovered Ralxire has an incredible ass BUT HE REALLY DOES. He'd be down - Ralxire has absolutely no body shame at all. He wears a harness to relax. There's a naked statue of him at camp. He doesn't wear underwear. He's nasty as hell and everyone else has to deal with it.

'Star or Halsin wearing it would go exactly the way you think it would.

What is your Tav’s favorite type of environment? Like in a tavern, a library, out in the wilderness, underground, etc.

Lower City favoured terrain. Taverns, dirty sewer hideouts, nasty waterfront warehouses. Places that aren't too nice make him feel....out of place. Halsin is helping with that, on the nature front. Though, a necromancer is only ever going to be so comfortable in nature

What would your Tav’s Zodiac sign be?

My brain said Scorpio reflexively, but unfortunately I think he's inherited my Aries sun / Taurus moon combo.

What is their favorite season?

Autumn. Cool. Everything is dying. It's in his colour pallet. What more could you want?

Where in the world does your Tav want to visit the most?

I think he'd do a big city tour. Waterdeep, Neverwinter.... I think he'd seek out cool magic places. He does love Baldur's Gate secretly though

What is the biggest mistake your Tav ever made?

Looking into Litchdom because "it's what Necromancers do"

What animal best represents your Tav?

Impulse said Rat and I think that's maybe correct? A giant rat. The biggest rat you've ever seen.

What flower/tree/plant best represents your Tav?

It's too easy to say Corpse Flower? I do think it's apt, actually. Massive for seemingly no reason. Smells bad. Obsessed with dead and decaying things. Looks like a massive dick

What does your Tav smell like?

Embalming fluid, probably.

What song best represents your Tav?

Bonus for Ralxire x Astarion from my playlist for them

What would be your Tav’s favorite music genre?

There is no world in which Ralxire would not have the worst drum and bass you've ever heard blaring 24/7 irl

What role would your Tav play in a highschool AU? (nerd, jock, bully, goth, etc)

Dropout/Burnout with bonus He's Secretly Smart trope

What is the most important item your Tav has?

His spellbook. Really, any book he gets his hands on. But his old and new spellbooks really contrast who he was with who he is now. Like, sure, his old one has Finger of Death in it. But now he has buffing spells! That he casts on other people! He learned spells to help others! Groundbreaking territory

Where does your Tav feel most at home?

Lower City waterfront. The area of Baldur's Gate with all the monsters in it

What is your Tav’s philosophy on life?

It would be something like "We're all getting fucked so we might as well enjoy it". He's got that optimistic pessimism going on

Does your Tav think more with their heart or their brain?

He'd love it if it was his Brain. It would improve his life. Unfortunately he is only ever guided by his heart, his ego or his dick.

What does your Tav want in their future? (domestic bliss, more adventure, a family, etc)

There was a time where he wanted to be immortal. Now, he mostly wants to give Astarion the best damn life he can until he's gone.

What is your Tav’s worst fear?

The loss of what little he has - mostly his family

Is your Tav easily tricked or deceived?

Not necissarily - but he is EASILY swayed by flattery.

If your Tav was granted a single wish, what would it be?

More wishes. The wish spell in his spellbook. Some loophole bullshit like that

How does your Tav feel about keeping secrets, both their own and others?

Sure, why not? You've got your reasons and I've got mine.

How would your Tav react to a love confession?

If it was unrecipricated, it would be the best day of his life. He'd be so happy because he's been given a gift. If reciptrocated, see above answer about Star

What are your Tav’s biggest insecurities?

Ralxire is more insecurity than man. He is insecure about how much he cares, primarily. Again, he's all ego. A lot of work goes into preserving that

What decision would your party have to make in order for Tav to consider splitting off from the group?

Honestly, I think the fact I couldn't think of anything is telling. But he does have a soft spot for his fellow teefs. I think if they'd murdered the tiefling refugees, he'd have quitely slipped away the night after

What is your Tav’s favorite food?

Anything insanely filling. Curries. Stews. That sort of thing. Most of his diet is unfortunately alcohol though

How generous is your Tav, especially to those they don’t know?

Almost 0%. Maybe a little if you catch him being sentimental

If an evil character told your Tav that they wanted to change and help them, would they believe it?

Not on your life. Ralxire mistrusts the nicest people on earth

What meme describes your Tav the best?

I've somehow forgotten every meme ever made by mankind. Maybe....

youtube

What does your Tav want to be remembered by?

Outside of existing fondly in the memories of the people he loves, I don't think Ralxire cares much about being remembered.

What Tarot Card best represents your Tav?

The Chariot (reversed) or The King of Wands (reversed)

What would be your Tav’s major in college?

I actually answered this here

but tldr Ralxire would be working towards a PHD in Biology or Pathology

Does your Tav consider themselves a hero, villain, victim or something else?

I think he would rather obstain. Though a bit like 'Star, there's something really funny about considering him a hero even a little bit

How good is your Tav at giving advice? How good are they at following it themselves?

Good and terrible respectively

How does your Tav get along with each party member?

Gale - > Inherent Wizard Rivalry is a big barrier here Wyll - > Too good to be true, for Ralxire. He's coming around Lazell - > She loves his sister and that's enough for him Astarion - > See any other answer. Loves more than anything Halsin - > The only grounding force he's ever had and he needed it SO MUCH. Adores sharing him with 'Star. Adores their strange, haphazard relationship. Adores how much he's not his usual type. Karlach - > Banter buds Shadowheart - > They hated each other for no clear reason, but now they bully each other with some affection in it

What are your Tav’s other hobbies?

He will read anything at all - but likes Philosophy because it's structured arguing.

(Free Spot: Ask any question you’d like!)

Ralxire's favourite way to end a day is to cuddle the shit out of Astarion while he reads aloud. 'Star gets to listen to his voice rumble and 'Xire gets to play with his hair. Astarion pretends to fall asleep, then Ralxire bundles them both up. Perfection

#This took me so fucking long dude #tav oc #longpost #Spotify #Youtube

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gb-diesellok · 9 months

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Greaseball Appreciation Day? You mean there's ANOTHER day for me~?

Well, for one I appreciate my source character for existing. I don't have a favorite actor or version of the song. I dont have a favorite production either.

His costumes have been amazing and perfect. Other characters haved changed so much while he hasn't. The choreography of gyrating his hips, doing splits, dancing with other rolling stock and switching from skating forwards and backwards does a lot for his characterization. Everyone loves him or wants to be him! He is charismatic and strong.

My favorite ships are:

GB x Dinah... GB x Pearl... GB x his gang

As well as GB x OCs because oc ships are the best! You don't have to force anything or anyone!

For Unpopular Opinions... I have far too many.

They should introduce him as The Pacific Daylight again as a direct rival to Rusty and the Starlight Express. I think it is cool... being named like a god because you don't need a God's help...

He is smart and competent. He is a hard worker. He is a good leader, it is literally his title. Leader of the Rolling Stock and King of the Track are 2 seperate titles. He got where he is through hard work and he is admired for it as the only diesel racing among electrics.

His misspelling of 1 word after a serious crash / injuries / concussion should not be seen as him being dumb stupid an idiot ect. EVERYONE in the musical does dumb things. Additionally... dyslexia should not be a punchline to jokes...

I don't believe he cheated in races. Dinah would not have called him out on it when he did shove others around. If him being physical in races is cheating then EVERYONE cheats and he should not be pointed at as The Cheater in the musical when Electra actually paid for caboose's work. Yet Electra is never called a cheater.

I just think there is a lot of picking and choosing when it comes to GB vs the other characters ... which I personally don't like.

#starlight express #stex

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theuncoupleddiningcar · 10 months

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Just gonna leave these here…

ITS GREASEBALL! ITS GREASEBALL!! ITS GREASEBALL THE DIESEL! CHOOSE ME, GREASEBALL! RACE WITH ME!!!

Back off, girls! He's MINE!!😍

I'm madly in love with him like it hurts-

#ilovetazstarship

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publicenemycb · 10 months

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I just saw Greaseball in my notifs and then the next thing I hear in my head is "GREASEBALL GREASEBALL GREASEBALL THE DIESEL, CHOOSE ME GREASEBALL, RACE WITH ME" and honestly...I don't know what to think but feels accurate for me

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engine-of-love · 11 months

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An interpretation of Starlight Express characters

So, we all have different thoughts and view on the characters on Starlight Express that have developed since we got into this musical. And at our own risk we make these thoughts known on this sight. Well, I thought I’d have a got at it with the. characters of my choosing: Pearl and Greaseball!

@marastriker thank you for reading my long rant in the comment section of one of your posts. Always a pleasure to talk Stex when I can with other people.

First up is Pearl. What I think of her is just naive and gives into peer pressure. Like since the beginning, she was told she was too good race with someone like Rusty. Then she goes with Electra after an internal debate (in the form of Make up My Heart). Like she knows she should commit to race with Rusty, but based on what everyone else said she’s confused on what she should do. Basically a decision was made for her and she went with it. And when she decided to make her own choice, she didn’t realize it was a bad one until it was too late. Her naïveté come into play. She partners up with Greaseball without considering how Dinah would feel about it. Granted she didn’t know about the break up, but still went with him insisting that its just for fun and telling Dinah to quit crying. Then Greaseball has Rusty crashed and beat up. After she’s sees this and realizes she made a terrible mistake, she laments that her decision's were not thought out and caused trouble for her and everyone else (Each time I try, it seems that I get sadder but no wiser than before).

Another part of her character is that she had a bit of a tendency to be a bit superficial. She was drawn to Electra and her partnering with him was influenced by how sparkly and extravagant he was. She wasn’t immune to Greaseball’s good looks either. It’s more evident in the original, but part of why she doesn’t give Rusty a chance is that she’s holding out for some ridiculous fantasy and waiting for her ideal ‘dream train’ (e.g He Whistled At Me & He’ll Whistle At Me). After learning Greaseball commanded his gang to beat up Rusty and Rusty saving her in the race, she realizes that her dream train was there all along and thinks she missed her change because she couldn’t see past the surface (i.e Only He/You, Next Time You Fall In Love). Pearl is seen as either this naive innocent girl who doesn’t know any better or a more-knowing callous girl who doesn’t care if she hurts someone with her actions, but there's bit more to her than that, as stated.

Now for Greaseball. Greaseball is more of a grey area, but one thing a don’t see him as is an abusive cruel monster. Now the things he does in the show are definitely not ok, like coldly uncoupling Dinah when she calls him out and ordering his gang to beat up Rusty, but making him out to be abusive is pretty over the top. In the original, Greaseball was implied to be abusive to Dinah by the second and third class sleeping cars (who were fawning over Greaseball moments before but details). Now that in of itself is too heavy a subject for a show like Starlight Express, not to mention that it just comes out of nowhere. Now its been established that the diesel is arrogant, full of himself and a bit of a bully (I’m being generous here), but with the abuser aspect of him thankfully taken out, we see him as a vain, overly-confident hot head. Getting into a crash with Electra and CB and coming out with all of them looking a hot messes definitely humbles Greaseball and gives him his just desserts. After everything, Dinah rushes to his side and he genuinely apologizes to her. So yeah, Greaseball is definitely a jerk and a bully, but portraying him as some cruel, abusive monster? Get out of here with that!

#starlight express #stex pearl #stex greaseball

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dinahdoeeyes · 2 years

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I must say this because it drives me nuts that so many people think otherwise: Dinah is not stupid. She has some bimbo/airhead vibes, yes, but she isn’t stupid; she isn’t an idiot for being with Greaseball or for taking him back.

And he is not making her stay with him. Dinah is with Greaseball because she wants to be with him. That is clear as day. She is not “stupid” for being with someone when she genuinely wants to be with that person.

Dinah is not weak. Dinah is sensitive and emotional and, yes, at least somewhat dependent on Greaseball (I’ve said this already), but she is not “weak.” She calls Greaseball out (that’s literally why he dumps her; it sounds as if she “preaches” a lot, and he got sick of it), she argues with him to let Rusty race, she tells everyone that she doesn’t wanna race with Electra, and she only does it just... because? It’s never made quite clear, but probably largely to make G.B. jealous. She could’ve said “No, I can’t be there and see them (G.B. & Pearl) together,” and that would’ve been completely fine and understandable. But she didn’t.

Dinah holds onto the relationship she wants, even when it’s difficult, because it’s with the man she wants; she chooses to take the bad with the good. And I think that’s very strong of her. Dinah puts up with a lot of shit from a lot of people (her boyfriend, her friends, the Sleepers, Electra and his components); she protests, even if they don’t listen to her. She disconnects from Electra because she’d rather be partnerless than be partnered with someone whom she doesn’t want and who doesn’t want her.

Dinah isn’t stupid or weak or pathetic just because she chooses to be with Greaseball.

#I'm 27-years-old now and popping off about fictional toy trains. 😩#But I love this character so much and I'm tired of everyone misunderstanding her.#I would go to war for this girl! 😤😤😤#AND for this ship! 😤 The antis can STAY pressed! ✌🏽💅🏽#dinah the dining car #greasedinah #greaseball x dinah #commentary #Dinah rants #rant #txt

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namethat-i-oughttohavetoldyou · 2 years

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im so curious to hear how YOU got into electrustity (also........... perhaps olc electraboose if you feel like doing two)

(rubs my gay little hands) I'm absolutely down for doing two

Starting with OLC Electraboose bc I don't have that much to say about it sjdkfdfj

1. What made me ship it? You.

2. What are my f

HYASHASHA okay no I will elaborate on that a little. Tbh I'm not a fan of "regular" Electraboose at all, because imo they are too... how to describe this... hyper? To make a good pairing? Idk, regular Caboose gives me this highly energetic crime baby energy and regular Electra is highly energetic diva baby, they don't balance each other out very well. OLC Electraboose works because they both feel much more mature to me! CB is just a funky little man who likes to commit atrocities in his coffee break, and Electra is this cranky drama queen who still stomps his foot when he doesn't get what he wants and walks against walls when he's tired enough. They feel a lot more relaxed to me, a lot less hectic. <3 Also, your art made me ship them. Yeah.

2. What are my favourite things about the ship? Damn, I already answered that in question 1, didn't I? Oh welll, gotta improvise. Starting with my personal tag for them: Mustache train husbands!!! They embody the 80s. Literally. They will absolutely annoy the hell out of everybody around them by calling each other constantly and talking for hours, twirling the metaphorical phone cord. They're also the best at being soft as fuck. OLC Electra was born with sleepy eyes, so he can always give ultra soft looks at his mustached boyfriend, and CB is very soft in and on himself, so it's just the perfect balance. I also love how, by today's beauty standards (although I definitely disagree), OLCB is literally just a Guy. Who's funky as hell. And Electra took one look at him and said "taken" and nobody argued, least of all CB himself. ♥

3. Is there an unpopular opinion I have for this ship? Other than it's better than regular Electraboose? No, I don't think so.

Electrustity time!

1. What made me ship it? Okay I put Electraboose first bc by GOD I can't remember right now. I have me and Kate's dms right in front of me when she started shipping it, and the way I wrote an entire paragraph in response tells me that I was a fan of it long before that asjdkasjdk but I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment. I think it mostly resulted of a long, long train (hah) of thought about Electra basically having no clue what he was getting into with the race and not feeling any real malice against Rusty during the "Clear my Track" scene, because everybody is making so much fuss about this rusty little steam train doing the race (as if he had a chance at all! ridiculous) and there's so much drama about choosing partners and he just wants to do this damn race, for fuck's sake!! (You can tell that I hadn't listened to the OLC recording at that time, where Electra is also very against Rusty racing him, for some inexplainable reason. By then I only knew the versions where CB tells Electra that he will brake Greaseball for him and at this point Electra just goes along with it, because he mostly just wants to get it over with and any help is welcome at this point jskdaskd anyway, I'm getting off point here.) So! During "Clear my Track", Electra often doesn't laugh when Rusty tells him that he's going to race him; his Components do instead. Greaseball does laugh. Gonna steal this from the wiki rq:

Adding the wonderful Toby Poole Electra bootleg to it, where Electra doesn't laugh and does a "come at me" gesture at Rusty when he tells him that he will race him paired with other bootlegs where Electra even waves the Components off so that they stop laughing, I started teetering between "Electra is fucking sick of all the drama and just wants to race already" and "Electra actually respects Rusty". Kate bringing it up really got me rolling (ha ha) though, so thank you @isaterriblebore! ♥

2. What are my favourite things about this ship? The dynamic is DELICIOUS. Shiny and fancy but absolutely clueless and rusty and world-worn but optimistic and knowledgeable? Sign me the fuck up!!! I think they would be absolutely amazed about each other and very impressed, as well, and they both have their pride and insecurities. I know that some people see Rusty as the ultimate uwu soft boy, but honestly, this Dampflok calls himself the fastest engine of the world with full sincerity in public, so I think he has a lot of confidence, actually! He just doesn't tend to let it rise to his head so much as Electra does, especially since Rusty is ridiculed for it and Electra isn't. Poppa suggesting that Electra convert to steam at the end of the show was a heavy blow to his ego, so they balance each other out nicely especially after that. Another favourite thing for me is that there's so much potential for angsty stuff, but also so much for funny shit. Rusty trying and failing to teach Electra how to whistle bc Electra is afraid about other trains not liking him because he can't whistle at them. Electra seeing a steaming loaf of bread and going "Oh it's like Rusty!" (because Rusty is squishy and warm). Rusty and Electra becoming partners in crime in their free time and stealing Greaseball's shoes (completely inspired by this lovely photo).

(Short!Electra hc my beloved....) Yeah. They can be soft and silly and vulnerable together and I just like that a lot. ♥

3. Is there an unpopular opinion I have for the ship? Electra is shorter than Rusty. Fite me fjkasjdkad Other than that, no, I don't think so. Except maybe that Rusty has just as much (or almost as much) confidence as Electra pretends to have XD

#namethat-i answers #thank you tobie! ♥#starlight express #electraboose #electrustity #the best shipping name tbh. we all need some tity sometimes #fighting tooth and nail with tumblr to post this because it keeps lagging #also: the lengths i went through to look up when i started shipping this!!#i think i gave kate psychic damage by just dming her the word 'shoes' while trying to search for this pic and missing the search bar AJSKDJA

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rimtimtigger · 3 years

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I somehow found a nearly complete version of a 1983 workshop of StEx and it’s so interesting to see how the show has changed.

Idk if how many other StEx fans have found this, but here’s some things I noticed that have been changed in future versions:

Rusty sings his own version of ‘Rolling Stock’ right before ‘Call Me Rusty’ and it’s the cutest thing

There’s only three coaches during ‘A Lotta Locomotion’. Also the choreography is really cute too.

Electra’s costume is completely silver with red lightning bolts and he looks kinda creepy tbh.

‘AC/DC’ is really short and Electra doesn’t have any components.

‘Freight’ is really slow. Also there’s now six coaches.

I think the lyrics to ‘Freight’ are different and there’s a character I don’t recognise but the audio quality is too bad to tell what they’re saying.

It take’s Dustin(?) three tries to introduce himself. Other characters introduce themselves between the tries.

The national’s have their own little songs while choosing partners before each race. The songs are very stereotypical and bad. The German train literally does a n*zi salute??? Can’t hear what he says but I can’t imagine it’s good.

Greaseball doesn’t race in the first race. The races only have three contestants each.

Belle dances with Rusty during her song and the Rockies sing along for a bit.

Poppa races against Greaseball in race two.

‘U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D’ is immediately after race two. It’s also slower and lyrics are slightly different.

There’s a third race with Poppa and two nationals.

When Rusty choose CB to race with they hold hands and it’s just adorable.

The lyrics to ‘Wide Smile’ are slightly different. (Also I love Michael Staniforth’s CB)

Rusty has a solo after ‘Right Place, Right Time’. Really wish I could hear what he’s saying because it doesn’t sound like any other song in the show. It used the melody for ‘U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D’ at times but other than that it’s completely new to me.

The lyrics to ‘Only He’ are very different.

CB, Electra and Greaseball have a song at the end. It’s not ‘One Rock’n’Roll Too Many’ but maybe a precursor to it. Again the audio is too bad to tell what they’re actually saying.

There’s definitely more changes that were made to the show but these were the ones I found the most interesting. I really wish there was some footage with clearer audio but this was still really cool to watch.

#if anyone wants the link to the full thing just dm me #not art #stex #starlight express

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mr-face-both-ways · 4 years

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Stex Appreciation Month: CB!

Can’t trust anyone these days, remember I can face both ways!

Ah yes, my url’s namesake, i finally had time to finish and post something lol i’ll post the others soon

Questions answered under the cut! This is extra long because he is my Fave and im Biased

Fave song: There’s Me hands down, the whole scene including That Was Unfair is just so good in establishing CB’s, Greaseball and Dinah’s characters so well, plus the melody is just*chef’s kiss* and the fact that its technically a villain song?? Love that, plus the parallels of him finding Dinah alone and upset and comforting and supporting her and lending her a hand up and sending her on her way after she’s cheered up, with post race 3 where he’s the reason Rusty’s alone and hurt on the floor, kicking him when he tries to get up (looking at you 1991 boot) and mocks and insults him, leaving him alone with his confidence broken as he leaves laughing. What an absolute bastard!! But when There’s Me is taken out, you don’t properly see his two sides, both the bad and good sides are important to his character! He’s a contrary dude but that’s just him! Plus the actual song has one of my fave melodies of the show, I can and do listen to the intro from the ost on repeat, plus that lil bit in the japan vid?? So cute?? And the contrasting styles to that and Wide Smile?? Amazing, love it

Fave actor: Once again my fave actor list is gonna be like 5 people lol, the great thing about C.B’s material is that his attitude and demeanour can change based on his inflection, movement etc so! Michael Staniforth is a given, his Wide Smile really demonstrates his range which imo not many others have been quite as good, plus what extremely little footage and photos there are of him he was extremely expressive and just fun to watch! I’ll also go with Peter Rees, Andrew Prosser, Hans Johansson, Oliver Rhoe Thornton (and what the heck let’s also go for early Kapa Kitchen and Daniel Ellison)

Fave ship: Ohh boy this is super self indulgent but CBGB honestly (has the fandom given it a nickname? Greaseboose?? idk) I love that in the older scripts him and GB high five (that us boot where cb does a lil jump to hit GB’s high five?? Adorable) and actually talk like friends?? Like Greaseball is a jerk to pretty much everyone and for him to be friendly with him is just sweet. Not to mention its Greaseball who tells his gang that CB’s a “mean machine”, is always calling out to CB in the races and a recent thing that clicked in my brain is that when CB says “what a race, what a team!” and GB’s like “shhh! ohhh you mean me and dinah?” like did he just think that CB was about to out that they were working together during the race to crash the other engines in front of Dinah so he shushed him, then realised he was talking about GB and Dinah?? then just the whole exchange after sabotaging Rusty?? Duet One Rock and Roll? That GB just lifts him up like its nothing then they just kinda sit on eachother?? Those two are in cahoots I tell you!! Plus to me i get the vibe that they’ve been working together for years?? I just love their dynamic haha (and CB’s the only one i think who calls him GB that’s so cute) oh and platonic CB/Dinah is top tier, I feel like Dinah’s a very emotionally honest person so CB would feel like he could actually trust her?? And thanks to the new megamix Canoose/Elektra can have one right, as a treat

Fave thing about him: His independence! All the other characters are very much driven by either winning the races or finding love (or both), and C.B. just...doesn’t care. What you “are” is a big deal in Stex, like the engines, coaches and freight all have their identities shaped by their titles, and that can influence how they feel about the above two subjects “nobody can do it like a steam train”, etc and looking at when C.B. does participate in the races him and his partner tend to take the lead so he is good at racing!! But he chooses not to in order to make his own fun (at the expense of pretty much everyone else). He also seems to have a level of self-awareness, take his verse in Freight for example, he knows that as a brakevan he has to essentially serve the freight train, perceptually at the back of the train. But instead he uses his “purpose” aka his brakes to not do what he’s been told and to disrupt the train, and gets away with it by presenting himself as the innocent helpful brakevan! He’s just doing his own thing, (poor Rusty but,,) good for him!! And of course I have to say again, his two sides, and the ambiguity of it?? Like is he good, bad?? He’s both and neither?? An absolute force of chaos, but it only really works when both sides are present. Plus he a cutie tehe

Random headcanon: I think he’s unnervingly observant, even moreso than Pearl, and has amazing peripheral vision. That and taking notice of things like vibrations on the rails he’s very good at telling whose around before they’ve fully come into vision. He’s always watching everything around him, and isn’t necessarily being creepy, he’s just trying to get as much info on the current situation as possible. I think he likes to have some control and be on top of things?? I also really like the ex-boxcar theory (I first saw this theory on the old bellesdomain forums, rip) and I think that maybe when he was converted it was very difficult for him, having to deal with people, and having the CB radio to control what he hears helps ground him and keep his thoughts less cluttered?? He might’ve also forgotten a lot of his boxcar days, so when he says “you know I’m to blame but you don’t know my name” maybe he doesn’t even remember his original name?? And never got a new one as just the Red Caboose, so he clung onto the CB radio to give himself a sense of identity when his previous identity was stripped from him?? IDK

Unpopular opinion: This wagon can hold so many spicy takes he’s not a murderer lol but at the same time i can see where people can think that considering the lyrics reference several real-life train crashes even if they don’t make sense for CB to be there which tbh I put down to Stilgoe going tehe railway incident reference! I think he’s travelled around a lot and done a lot of questionable things, and maybe he was responsible for those crashes in the stex universe?? or maybe he’s just lying?? he’s definitely responsible for some shit, but considering he crashes 5 (!!!) engines during that one race night and being publicly humiliated after race 4 he doesn’t get in trouble and besides, all those engines are back for light at the end of the tunnel, they’re fine lol. Another thing is that I haaaate how CB has like no agency anymore in the current version like everything he does is for money, he’s basically a henchman for the engines (and everyone knows what his deal is and he isn’t in train jail?? what??) and they got rid of the pre-race 4 bit “just for me, I’m in this just for me” (in that slightly twisted there’s me melody) and Electra desperately pleading “help me caboose, help me caboose” to just the generic “I’ll help you win” at the end and not really its own little bit anymore like he barely has his own motivations anymore, it actually makes me really sad :( it really just doesn’t feel like CB anymore, though his character has been really disjointed since like 2007 when they got rid of there’s me. He’s just kinda bland now, like before he instigated a lot of the conflict, now others tell him to do something and he does it. I could like him more if he had an ounce more depth, like why is he so motivated by money? Maybe go into that old vs new tech theme and bring up that now that there’s new tech that can do the job of a brakevan he’s now antiquated and has to go into crime to get by?? Idk just please give me something, I think CB’s always been a bit of a fan favourite because he had multiple layers to his personality but new boose just has a whole lotta nothing :/

Anyway let’s end on a positive note at least we got pride lighting and a solo in the megamix so that’s something I guess XD

#stex appreciation month #starlight express #stex #cb the red caboose #stex cb #my art #musicals

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rulerofthestormdistrict · 4 years

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Rules

The mun is selective with who she rps with, and reserves the right to refuse an RP with anyone. Anyone that tries to force me to RP with them will be automatically blocked.

Please specify which muse you want and which verse. Otherwise, I will choose at random.

Triggers will be tagged accordingly. If there is any content that triggers you that is not tageed, please notify me so I can tag it accordingly.

This AU is strictly for mature audiences and I do NOT condone to anything in this AU. This AU is dark and graphic. By RPing and asking for the AU renditions of the muses, you are telling me you are okay with and are aware of how dark this AU is.

I will not tone down my muses. This is how they are. Do not control my characters.

Personal blogs, please do not reblog any threads and no one is to butte into the RP unless me and the others involved in the RP agree to it.

The blog is crossover, canon, multiship, OC, and AU friendly. However, shipping is limited to mutuals.

The mun is over 18, but hardcore smut is not allowed on this blog.

About The Muses:

Electra (General Information and Not AU Specific): Electra is now a permanent addition to the Apollo Victoria train yard. He lives with his components, who are like family to him. He has since become slightly humbled after the races, but not by much.

District AU Electra (Before The War): The information is essentially the same as the general information. However, as of late, there is something off about him, something almost sinister or mysterious. He and his components have been disappearing at night, returning by morning as if nothing ever happened.

District AU Electra (After The War): Electra now rules over his own District, The Storm District, with his components acting as his royal court. He rules his district with an iron fist and has no tolerance for nonsense. He has close alliances with Greaseball and CB. He isn't afraid to act on his threats, using his components to do his dirty work.

Volta (General Information And Not AU Specific): Volta has grown rather close to Electra over the years. There are rumors of them being together as a couple. However, she is adamant about dismissing those rumors. She's laid back and is Joule's sister.

District AU Volta (Before The War): Volta has become more secretive along with the rest of the components. She's still laid back, but she appears to be hiding something. Thee have been rumors of monstrous beasts roaming the forests at night. She always dismisses them of course.

District AU Volta (After The War): Volta now serves Electra in his royal court and is sympathetic of the humans that serve under his rule, often sneaking snacks and treats to the humans when Electra isn't working. She works closely with Wrench in caring for the humans behind Electra's back.

Krupp (General Information and Not AU Specific: Krupp is the stoic protector of Electra and the components, hiding his piercing periwinkle eyes behind the sunglasses he wears. He's soft spoken but clearly has a soft spot for Wrench.

District AU Krupp (Before The War): Krupp is much more quiet, clearly hiding something as he and the rest of the components disappear with Electra at night, reappearing in the morning as if nothing ever happened. He has considered asking Wrench about the potential of being mates, yet he hasn't mustered up the courage to do so.

District AU Krupp (After The War): Like Volta, Krupp is sympathetic towards the humans and tends to help care for them behind Electra's back. He has since become mates with Wrench and hopes for the possibility of having a trainlet in the future.

Purse (General Information and Non AU Specific): Purse's unwavering loyalty to Electra shows as he follows Electra wherever he goes. If Electra is there, Purse is never too far behind. He knows his job as Electra's accountant is important and keeps track of all the expenses for Electra and the components alike.

District AU Purse (Before The War): It's become obvious Purse has undergone some sort of change. He's become slightly more bitter towards humans and can snap at them on occasion, having to be pulled back by Krupp at times. He refuses to explain why he and others disappear at night, claiming them to be simply rumors.

District AU Purse (After The War): Purse isn't empathetic towards humans, unlike Volta, Wrench, and Krupp. He spends most of his time with Joule, who has lost control of her instincts. Purse takes great pleasure watching Joule do her work, controlling the humans and instilling fear in them. It's not uncommon he himself attempts to intimidate humans, with mixed results.

Joule (General Information and Non AU Specific): Volta's twin sister. She's bubbly and has a hot temper. She looks up to Electra and follows him around, seeing him as a role model of sorts. She has a natural love of explosives and fire as a whole.

District AU Joule (Before The War): Joule has become rather dangerous towards humans at times, snapping at them in violent ways, seemingly having grown a bitter hatred for them.. or is it something else? There's an obvious difference in her behavior. She's fighting a battle none can see. She often spends time with Purse, finding him to be understanding of her situation.

District AU Joule (After The War): Joule has completely lost control of her bloodthirsty instincts and is now wrecking havoc among the humans that serve Electra. She's dangerous in the extreme towards humans. Do. Not. Approach.

Wrench (General Information and Non Au Specific): Wrench is the level headed mother figure of the components. She has had her eyes on Krupp for some time, but isn't sure if he would be interested in her, as he's quite difficult to read at times. She tends to the injuries of Electra and the other components. At times, she does tend to the other rolling stock as needed if the workshop is full.

District AU Wrench (Before The War): Wrench hasn't really changed in terms of behavior, yet she has grown concerned for Joule. Wrench has started to pick up hints from Krupp that he's interested in her and has started to give her own hints in return.

District AU Wrench (After The War): Wrench, like Volta and Krupp, are sympathetic towards the humans under Electra's rule and will go out of her way to tend to their injuries and offer food and other essentials. She is now mates Krupp and is currently in talks with him about having a trainlet or two in the future. She and Krupp bare the marks of a mate, a bite mark that has since formed on a scar on the side of their necks.

About The AU:

District AU: The main verse of this blog. Once again, I do NOT condone anything in this AU. The rolling stock had been mistreated and abused by humanity for centuries and they finally had enough and waged war against the humans. Other machines were quick to rally behind the rolling stock and support the cause to overthrow the human race.

The rolling stock and the other machines had won the war after only a few years, and the rolling stock allowed humanity to live as long as they served them, essentially enslaving the human race.

The rolling stock themselves have three forms: their rolling stock forms, which looks exactly like their irl rolling stock counterpart, the humanoid form, which is the form we see in the musical, and the beast form, which has been recently awakened before the war.

The rolling stock live like humans, but they have animalistic instincts. Steamers having the strongest bloodthirsty instincts. The diesels and electrics have weaker instincts, but they're just as dangerous. The rolling stock are biomechanical, a mix of mechanical and organic.

Other AUS:

Canon Divergent: The instincts, different forms and biomechanical aspects are still there. It's just closer to the canon verse.

#ooc #rules #about #starlight express au #starlight express rp #starlight express electra #starlight express krupp #starlight express wrench #starlight express purse #starlight express joule #starlight express volta #starex rp #starex au

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the-french-eurobitch · 4 years

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and now...my thoughts on a certified diesel dumbass.

favorite song the character is in: One Rock ’N Roll Too Many

favorite actor for this character: Matthew Goodgame or Maynard Williams (New StEx Era). Errr…It’s a little hard to choose, if I had to pick one, because they both bring out the tough “greaser” personality perfectly…!

favorite ship with this character: Still Greased Lightning, obviously. ;)

favorite thing about this character: That would be his attitude during the entirety of “Rock ’N Roll”. Though, since I’m a bit picky with how the actors for GB bring it, that depends on which one of them were more funny.

random head canon: Shortly after the races, Greaseball TRIED to do his best to reconcile with the nationals. But...being the slightly fluff-brained train as he is, he has bad annunciation with their languages. Like, say if you see him speaking his “best" french, you’ll immediately hear how incorrect it is.

unpopular opinion:

As straightforward as it is, ‘Geebs always wasn’t my cup of tea even if I have a few good opinions about him. He just strikes me as the kind of being with "right-wing" morals. Sooo...that’s on having gang members with confederate flags on their front frames, AND passively ditching your own girlfriend.

#stex appreciation month #stex greaseball #starlight express #geeb stans have no rights....just kidding!#you guys are fine! :) i'm just meh about the character

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voltarrrrr · 6 years

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Probably the most unpopular StEx headcanon

(You'll be warned, I know so many people will disagree but I just really want to share my thoughts with you)

☆☆☆

I headcanon Electra to be the youngest of all trains

Sounds stupid, right? But let me explain.

First off, I'm not referring to the actual dates the trains were build or anything. It's more like 'If they were humans, how old would they be'. I hope you get what I mean.

Reasons why I headcanon Electra to be the youngest:

He was pretty much unknown before the race. Yes, the components treated and introduced him like a superstar but nobody else actually knew who he was. That leads to my assumption that this was one of his first races so he was new to the whole thing and instantly thought he was better than anyone else, not only because he's an electric train but also because he's still really young compared to the others.

I headcanon most of the components to be pretty young too but still a little older than Electra. I've seen so many people ship Electra with Joule. Even though I'm not a big fan of them being together I can agree they have a certain dynamic and since many people portray Joule to still be rather childish at times, maybe that's why her and Electra come along so well. They're both really young.

That leads to my assumption that Electra tends to be really childish. Yes, he's damn impressive, hot and cool and I don't know but his behaviour tends to get childish at times. I know that being childish doesn't automatically makes a character young but it still kind of supports the headcanon and explains the situation a bit.

Electra wants to be taken serious. And the other trains do. The fear of being seen as a child and immature barely exists for him because he has so much knowledge about literally everything, thanks to being/having a computer. I got that thought while listening to the original German version of AC/DC where he basically threatened the others by telling he knows literally anything about them. According to my headcanon that would be something like 'I may be young but I still know more than all of you and I can and will use this against you so don't you dare to think of me as an immature youngling'.

While listening to 'No Comeback', which was sadly cut pretty early, I got the thought of Electra being extremely sensitive. We all know he's super sensitive when it comes to winning but I also mean in general. While Greaseball took it rather well, Electra seemed to be desperately trying to find a solution to escape that hole he fell in once he lost the race. I think while Greaseball is a champion, he also already lost several races back then. I guess that's just how it works. Nobody is born a champion; they have to train but as I already said in my first point, it's one of Electras first races and he just doesn't understand why he lost/what he did wrong. It's really hard for him to accept that especially because he's still young.

I think he has a good relationship with Wrench. I headcanon them to kind of always keeping an eye on Electra. Not only because they're his repair truck, but also because they're the oldest of the components and have a strong urge to keep him safe. That's also why I'm not a big fan of the Electra/Wrench ship but it's of course just a personal thing like everything else in this post.

Why did he choose Pearl? Of course because she's first class, really pretty and still new but also because she's as young as he is so he kind of could relate to her and lowkey thought of her more like a friend than a racing partner. That's basically the same thought as the one why Electra and Joule get so well along but I think it's important to adress since they were racing partners.

☆☆☆

I guess that's pretty much everything and even though I have so many ideas for the life of a damn young Electra, I just listed the thoughts I had which are the reason for my headcanon.

Also... this is just a personal thing. I totally get why someone wouldn't like the idea so there's of course no problem in disagreeing but I just wanted to share this with someone and maybe find people who actually enjoy the headcanon of Electra being the youngest.

Thank you so much for reading.

Feel free to add your own thoughts or ideas!

#starlight express #stex #electra #greaseball #wrench #andrew lloyd webber #musical #components #headcanon #unpopular headcanon #starlight express bochum #joule #electra the electric engine

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bellesdomain · 7 years

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Starlight Express Workshop - what would I do?

A lot of talk has been floated about “Updating Starlight Express” and most of that seems to focus on the cosmetic elements, the choice of musical instrumentation, the costume design, and to be honest these are the elements of nostalgia which attract a lot of the audience! There’s no problem with the show looking or sounding like its 1980s roots. However the deeper issues of the show, the social politics, the representation and the role models for young minds, these need to be addressed. Also, the many alterations and re-writes over the years have left a patchwork of plot holes and elements lost in translation, and the show will enormously benefit from being unpicked, and cut from fresh cloth, to be put back together in a near identical result but strong and clean!

So I humbly present my personal opinions, as a fan who knows the show well. What would I do were I directing the overhaul of Starlight Express?

First - since the concept is on the table already - Gender switch Electra. Switching Poppa to Momma has been interesting, but vocally it doesn’t work, and I don’t think it particularly brings anything new to the show. However, female Electra would kick ass! she would immediately break the convention of “Engine = male”.

She would bring some complications - while I am all for bisexual representation onstage, I think it’s a bit much to expect Pearl to be able to consider Electra a “lover” immediately in “Make Up My Heart”. But then it’s somewhat ridiculous as the show stands that she’s taking Electra’s race invitation as seriously as Rusty’s interest in her, so regardless of Electra’s gender, I’d want to restore “He Whistled At Me” in place of “Make Up My Heart”. The Upbeat, funky song is far more fun anyway!

That then brings a complication - “He Whistled At Me” is the same melody as “Engine of Love”, so in order to not drive the audience mad at the repetition, Rusty’s introduction needs to me “Call Me Rusty”, which might benefit from being a more light-hearted tweak on the original, dark and angry version. However keeping the coaches’ section is important as it gives their perspective on Rusty’s hopeless optimism.

Second - Include Belle, the old Sleeping Car. Poppa’s coach, an older female character. “Belle’s Song” is one of the hidden gems in the show, but after the Broadway production she was cut, justified as she wasn’t needed in the plot. Well, I’d make her vital to the plot, as part of the third point... Also she would take her place in “Girl’s Rolling Stock”, where slight lyric changes are needed to express that the girls are convincing Dinah “You don’t need him” rather than “Take him back”.

Third - Logic in the Races. If you were to ask, say, Flat-Top what was most exciting about the races, he’d say it’s between Electricity and Diesel. Nobody takes Rusty seriously, it’s all about the fight between Electra and Greaseball. WHO WILL WIN? So, in order to stretch out that excitement, move Electra to Heat 2. Poppa still races in Heat 2 as well - and he races with Belle, his old partner. It’s not the weight of pulling Dustin that overloads him, simply his age. This is really important, as Dustin is the least likely race partner - except he races twice. If Poppa races with Belle, then when Rusty comes to pick Dustin as his partner for the Downhill Final, the reaction is “Oh no, don’t be ridiculous?” rather than the current “hmm, well, he managed ok last time I guess...” The “Two heats, two qualifiers from each” structure works well when it is observed, so it’s simply a matter of swapping Electra with Ruhrgold (or national engine of choice). Greaseball wins the first heat comfortably, and Ruhrgold comes second. The second heat is won by Electra, and Poppa crosses the finish line second to qualify.

Fourth - Ensemble piece, layered story. Starlight loses a lot of interest when it becomes “The Pearl and Rusty Show”. Scenes that don’t include either of them - such as Girl’s Rolling Stock, or Caboose’s character arc including “There’s Me”, are just as valuable to the show. It’s a rich and interesting world, especially when we get to know more characters.

Fifth - Control is Dreaming. This element is subtle but important. The child drifts off to sleep during the “Overture”, and from then on we’re seeing their dream. This is important because if Control is awake and playing, their conscious mind is creating these scenarios, they are choosing to beat up their favourite oldest engine, they’re choosing distinctly adult concepts of gender and sexuality well beyond their pre-pubescent years. However, if Control is asleep, then it is their unconscious mind at work, these elements are a way of processing the world they’re learning. For example, Electra is an openly sexual character, and comes from “The Future”. Control is a young kid, and sexuality is a subject that lies in their future. It’s intriguing and confusing and scary.

Linked to this concept, the “Entry of the National Trains” needs to be placed before AC/DC to allow for the full lullaby/to sleep/to dream sequence of the Overture. “Entry of the National Trains” works better in this position for two further reasons - it contextualises Electra’s arrival, and causes less confusion for the audience. The first characters the audience are introduced to are assumed to be important - and really, remembering the name of the Russian engine is not vital to understanding the plot!

One more small point about Electra - I would include “No Comeback”, as she throws the biggest tantrum, and storms out after losing the race! The melody is so deeply woven into the show already, yet its source is missing. While seeing Electra crashed and humiliated is poetic justice, the contrast with Greaseball and Caboose crashing and Electra storming off would add variety. Especially with Greaseball redeemed by the end, but Electra is not.

Finally, Love Song, I would want to use “Only You” for Rusty and Pearl - the duet version used as “Du Allein” in Germany for many years. Part of the glory of the Starlight Sequence is the blending of two strong themes from the show - Rusty’s questioning, lost in “Starlight Express”, and he finds his answer in the form of “Only You”. It’s the completion of the story, and having a new love song shoe-horned in loses that arc. The “Du Allein” version in particular suits Pearl’s character so well, it’s quieter and reflective rather than a big impassioned belter. As Pearl has finally stopped and taken the time to reflect on her choices, she realises her mistakes, and that version conveys the moment best.

So overall my choices land heavily on the original material, and I don’t think most of these changes would even be recognised as alterations by casual audience members - except for those who remember Electra as male. The audience would simply not find many flaws to criticise. My intention is to focus on the characters and telling their stories, the theatrical spectacle lies on top of solid characer based plot.

#Starlight Express #Stexworkshop

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