+Vicki Diane She was one of my favourites in the Musical Theatre world. I loved her as Pearl in Starlight Express. I have her autograph still on my shelf. So talented and kind to a young 10 year old boy who came to ask her for it.
No way! Stephanie was so great and the musical theatre world is just a little less complete for her no longer being in it. What can we say except thank you to you and the other members of her family for sharing her with us.
Hi Adele I knew Steph in the 60/s at your Grandfathers school on Hayling Island : Broadview House. At the age of 14/15 she was a babe long blonde hair that almost reached her bottom .I was great friends with her and as a gift she gave me 2 records from her collection, i still have these 50 odd years later. I did manage to see some of her West End shows in the 70/s, and watch her now on the dvd film Buster. Your father must be Adrien Lawrence. Best Wishes to you. John Cook
Stephanie went to stage school with my cousin (royal Ballet school). I saw her in starlight and she was amazing; years later I, myself performed in the west end show (Purse). However I got to work with her years earlier; she was the lead in Kiss Me Kate, Savoy Theatre, London - that was a great thrill; she was lovely and very kind to me. Sadly missed. xx
Stephanie attended The Arts Educational School in Tring Hertfordshire She may have studied earlier at the Royal Ballet but she would have been under 12 years of age then.
I'm in a choir and my solo song is this song, my fave musical and I'll be doing Stephanie's version, nothing compares. You're still loved sweetheart ❤ xx
Hi Vicki, I have wonderful memories of your cousin. She was a beautiful and talented lady. In the mid 80's, I was on a work assignment to the UK (via USA). I was friends with Stephanie's brother Adrian on Hayling Island. Stephanie would come down for rest and we would visit in London at her flat or backstage. I will never forget Stephanie's soulful kindness and my friendship with Adrian...30 years later!
Thanks to all who are providing live videos of this Amazing Show around the world. Many family members would never have gained the insight of the beauty of these productions,spectacular venues and Awe inspiring talents of all performances, on stage and behind the scenes. My brother opened as Rusty in Bochum in 1988 with our mother being the only family member (United States) in attendance in Germany. When she passed (September 2011) I inherited her lapel PIN (Roller Skates) which I will treasure and pass on to my grandson as an heirloom (he adores trains) to treasure also. If the US were performing Starlight Express here, my grandson & I (age 8) would experience it together. Bravo! Encore! 28 years and still going strong in Bochum. and in many other countries. Congrats to all who have "Climbed Aboard the Starlight" and to those shining brightly down on us from above.
Starlight Express factoid: When Stephanie left the cast, this song was written out of the show because it came just a few minutes after the final race sequence and they couldn't find anyone else strong enough to recover in the time available. By the way... the lyrics here are the recording version. The first verse in the show was completely different, but they wanted to release it as a single and that first verse was deemed to be too dependent on context, whereas the recording version completely contradicts Pearl's character, who is indeed a "silly girl who's head's always turning". Here is the original first verse: " Known him for a lifetime, knew him not at all Thought there was nothing special about him Suddenly I see him shining like a star And don't know how to live without him" I saw the original show in London... couldn't get a ticket for the opening but I did see it on the third night. I've seen almost every version of the show in the UK and Germany and for me, every change they made was a mistake - the original was by far the best, not least because of Stephanie's show-stopper performance of this song.
I came here to say all this, but you said it perfectly. The changes have all been awful. Nowhere has come close to the original at the Apollo Victoria.
Wonderful and very sad..... but Paul, Greg and Sam - isn't it wonderful that her memory and voice lives on thanks to people like sdkmusicalmemories - and that the wonders of the internet mean you can all "meet" up and relive memories - prior to RU-vid you would probably never have met. To an old-timer muso like me I never cease to be amazed. Thank you to all for sharing wonderful stories - whether from Los Angeles or Newcastle!
For some reason Starlight has been running through my head for the last couple of days and this jis just what I needed. THANK YOU Pearl!!! You are missed
Saw Stephanie perform this live in the show (twice) also saw her in 'Time' and she was one of only three female vocalists (Elaine Paige and Celine Dion being the other two) I have ever seen (out of many) who had the power to literally cause your body to vibrate when she (seemingly) effortly 'let loose' - such a shame :-(
Have been strolling down memory lane on the Starlight Express and saw these comments. My brother (Steven Skeels) opened the 1st show in 1988 in Bochum Germany and although his family who lived in the United States other than our mother ever saw him perform live in Germany,many were able to see him reprise the role in 1993 at the Las Vegas Hilton. We do have many of the German Papers with various articles before, during and after opening in 88 and 93. He, and many others agreed with Stephanie regarding the vocal difficulties (high ranges) along with singing in a foreign language, skating, and all other areas of opening a brand new show in record time. Perhaps Steve and Stephanie knew one another as he has performed in NYC many times throughout the decades and is still going strong. Will tell him about Stephanie's Star from above shining down on us now. So sad. Se was an amazing talent.
Send me your name and i will look for a video of you. Over the years I continue to board the Starlight Video Performances) and decades later continue to be overjoyed when boarding in many countries via technology. P.S. I met another Cast Member in NYC who also starred as "Eva Peron" decades ago, in her home. She had amazing private videos she shared with those interested at her parties. Have been star struck many times throughout the years...wish I could have met Stephanie (RIP) before her passing. (?)
Thank you so much for putting this on, i never got to see her in this but started working backstage when kim leeson took over who was excellent but Stephanie is the ONLY one who can sing this song. God bless you and Mr Staniforth who was wonderful. I never knew about the alcohol, i thought it was Cocaine
After Steph left the show they turned this into a duet between Pearl and Rusty so she was the only one who ever really sang it. Kim was a sweet Pearl but nobody can touch Steph.
paul newbery Steph's assistant or Kim's? I wonder if I know you Paul because I was at Starlight all the time. I saw it 52 times the first year when Steph was in it but still went quite a lot the second year because by then I was friends with Ray Shell. I remember Colin at the stage door.
yes yes it's you!!!!!! i was the lift boy, you was the one that told me about it being her most difficult song, you were there all the time, how are you...i loved those starlight days
paul newbery I am good, thank you! I am living in Los Angeles now. Have been for the past 24 years!! I have two daughters (my first born is named Stephanie Frances after Steph and France Ruffelle - they were both tickled pink). Are you on facebook?
She stopped the show opening night of "Starlight Express". Easy to see why. Much lamented, much missed. I was lucky enough to know her and to work with her, and I will never forget her generosity to me personally, when, as a young under-rehearsed understudy, I was thrown on last minute to play opposite her in "Bubbling Brown Sugar". Without her support I'd never have got through the show. As it was, it was a triumph.
No, she didn't commit suicide. She died of complications from alcoholism. A real shame. She was a beautiful soul and a magnificent performer. But we all have our demons. I miss her so much.
Thanks for posting. People don't realize what an amazing singer she was. Does any one have her performance on Michael Barrymore show singing "I dreamed a dream"?
TIME was a fantastic musical, from the Sets, Special Effects, Costumes, Songs, etc There are some footage of TIME, few snippets with Stephanie so will try and find it- I saw it once with Cliff Richard in 86 + twice with David Cassidy in 87 + 88
