News Release 11 February 2009 SKYLIGHT To Benefit From ‘Starlight Express’ Preview Skylight, the Wellington-based charitable organisation that provides support to children, young persons
and their families/wh&257nau through trauma, change, loss and grief, is to benefit from a special Charity Preview of the Andrew Lloyd Webber show Starlight Express on 30 June at the TSB Arena. One of the most successful musicals of all-time and second only to Cats as the longest running show in British theatre history, Starlight Express is being brought to New Zealand by Stewart Macpherson. The promoters, the Really Useful Group (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company), the performers and Ticketek have all waived their fees and royalties so that three charities including Wellington’s Skylight receive $45 of the special $50 ticket price for the preview show. Mrs Bice Awan, Skylight’s Chief Executive says, “This is an amazing show and the generosity of all those involved has provided a wonderful opportunity for Wellingtonians to support Skylight and enjoy a fantastic evening’s entertainment. “It is also a most appropriate association for Skylight, given that Starlight Express follows a child’s dream in which his toy train set comes to life, and is unique in that all 28 performers are on roller skates.” Starlight Express opened in London on 27 March 1984. Since then the show has been produced in Germany, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Mexico. Andrew Lloyd Webber, who conceived the show and composed the music, also produced Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. Richard Stilgoe, Don Black and David Yasbek are responsible for the lyrics, and Arlene Phillips, of Hot Gossip dancers fame, the choreography.
“As the only Wellington-based charity, we hope that Wellingtonians will support us in this fun event by purchasing their tickets in our name and thereby enabling Skylight to make the most of this wonderful opportunity. The money raised from the event will go towards providing our services to the many people that need our support,” Bice Awan said.