Mykal Rand has been travelling round and round the rail tracks for nearly 20 years. No, he's not trying to get from London to Norwich on a Supersaver - he's a talented and versatile performer in one of the UK's most popular musicals in past years - Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express. One of the world’s longest running musicals, it first opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in 1984, finally closing in 2002. A futuristic tale of the triumph of love and hope in the face of adversity, it tells the story of electric, diesel and steam trains fighting for supremacy. While that may sound like it might appeal to a rather niche market, it really is a feel good musical with something for everyone! Mykal has performed in the show in London many times playing a number of the parts including Rusty, Poppa and Electra. He's also performed in productions all over the world including Germany and Japan.
 | | Mykal Rand |
In addition to reprising the role of Electra for this year's tour, he's also undertaking the role of Resident Director. Nearly 20 years to the day since I last saw Starlight Express, I can report that despite the limitations of a touring production, it is probably even more of a spectacle now than it ever was! Mykal himself is a phenomenal skater whose spins make you catch your breath, so I was delighted to be able to ask him how he copes with the challenges of such a demanding show! You've been associated with Starlight Express for quite some time now haven't you? Mykal: Yes, I've been involved with it on and off for 18 years now. I was first in it not long after it opened and played Rocky 2, who is now a Hopper character. I have just seen its latest incarnation - nearly 20 years to the day since I last saw it! It's still a great spectacle, but it has changed a bit hasn't it? Mykal: Yes - in the early 1990s they added extra songs and changed the choreography and some characters. Starlight Express changes all the time, we're always looking at things and making small changes but that was a major overhaul. Are the continual tweaks what make it so timeless? Mykal: Yes - as time goes on it's always updating. For example, the costumes when it first opened were very different, they are very heavy duty now! There's also something called rexing coming in at the moment and we include that as well. There's also a new character called Trax who does jumps and flips on ramps using inline skates which are a big thing now. It just keeps it fresh and it just keeps appealing to a new young audience. And as for the cast - well once you've learnt how to skate - which is quite difficult and takes a long time - you might as well stay in the show and show off your skills! You were amazing as Electra, flying around the stage and making it look so easy but it is difficult isn't it? Mykal: Oh my gosh yes! It's very difficult and tiring and after my main number I just want to crash on the floor. Sometimes you can't wait to get off stage for an opportunity to get some water or Lucozade and then just get ready for your next entrance. You said that the costumes were heavy duty now - are they difficult to work in as well? Mykal: Yes - they're hot and heavy. We rehearse in tracksuits and light clothing so when you get the costume on it's like "oh OK!" and it's a whole new stamina to learn! So is the show your fitness regime or do you still have to work out?!
 | | Mykal Rand as Electra |
Mykal: Yes - we still go to the gym during the day and work out to make sure that we don't get injured! There are lots of skaters on the stage at times - that must be quite difficult to organise?! Mykal: Yes - and Milton Keynes is one of the smaller stages that we've had! In London it had a huge set which obviously wasn't great for touring so we've had to adapt it and rehearsing was certainly a mission! In London there were racing tracks all around the audience. Obviously, you can't do this with a touring production so you've got some exciting 3D film of each race instead which literally made me jump back and scream at the things flying through the air! Were you involved in that, and do you still get the tension of the races backstage! Mykal: I wasn't involved in those films but our skate supervisor directed and choreographed the whole thing and they all went off to Wales to do it. Yes - we get excited when we hear the screams from the audience and we think - "Yes - they're definitely getting it!" The choreography is spot on and extremely well polished and timed. Do you learn the dances first then put the skates on? Mykal: [laughs] No! You have to learn everything on skates! First you have to learn to skate though, then learn the choreography and then the vocals so it's a big challenge. I was lucky because I'd been skating since I was a kid but there's a skate school for those who haven't skated before which takes about 4-5 weeks and for this tour we had our shortest rehearsal time ever! It sounds like the most demanding show you can do as you need to perfect so many different skills. You've got to have it all really?! Mykal: It is because of the added element of skates. Dancers are usually great at picking things up and can learn routines very quickly but as soon as they put the skates on it's like "Ahh" because there's a whole new element to learn and get used to before they can express themselves choreographically. And it's a great relief at the end of each show to know that you've got through it! I also read that you have special workshops to learn to move like a train? Mykal: Yes - we do some workshopping of characters. In the show, we do what are known as "tickovers" where the engine ticks over. People say that we're always moving on the stage, even when we're not on the move so to speak, but that's us doing the engine ticking over and the "tickover" is specific to each character so we work on that. There's certainly a lot of attention to detail put into all this. You're also the Resident Director for this tour. What does that involve?
 | | Mykal Rand (left) as Electra |
Mykal: Basically I keep everyone together. I have to take one show off per week to watch it to make sure that everything is right and it's running smoothly and see if there are any holes to fill or if anything needs to change. I just keep it fresh and make sure everything is in tip top shape. You've performed in Starlight Express all over the world. Does the show get different reactions in different places? Mykal: It gets a very similar reaction everywhere but the most amazing reaction we had was in Japan where we were playing in arenas to 15,000 people every night and it was crazy. We were like popstars! Michael Jackson was top of the charts with his album at the time and Starlight Express knocked him off the top spot! You clearly look like you're having the time of your life on the stage don't you? Mykal: [laughs] I have a great time on stage. It's great to get out and play - not many people get the chance to skate for a living, sing great songs, do great choreography and perform in front of great audiences! The Starlight Express can be seen on the Norwich Theatre Royal platform from Tuesday 30 May - Saturday 24 June, 2006. | 
