About the director: Luke Sheppard
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical, Starlight Express, has returned for a 21st century audience and is currently playing in a purpose built auditorium at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. This immersive production features new songs, updated characters and plenty of impressive choreography. In the hands of acclaimed director Luke Sheppard, this latest Starlight Express show has already enjoyed several months of sell-out performances. Let’s learn more about him.
Early life and career
Raised in Sandhurst, Berkshire, Luke Sheppard was a successful child actor, performing in Oliver! at the London Palladium. While studying Drama: Theatre, TV and Film at the University of Bristol, he realised he wasn’t enjoying performing anymore and began to explore directing. As a student, he put on shows through the drama and musical societies.
After graduating, Sheppard received the inaugural Noël Coward Trainee Director Award at Salisbury Playhouse, assisting Philip Wilson for three months. In his early career, he funded his love of directing with other jobs, from working night shifts in a call centre to teaching drama classes. Then when assistant and associate jobs began to come his way, Sheppard’s talent began to be recognised.
Career highlights
As an associate director, Sheppard worked on Matilda the Musical while staging his own shows. In 2015, he staged the UK premiere of Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, which won three Olivier Awards, as well as the Broadway World Award for Best New Production of a Musical. He later worked on Billionaire Boy, which toured the UK and received the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People.
Next came an adaptation of the popular Sue Townsend novel The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾, which received two award nominations, and the UK tour of The Da Vinci Code, adapted from the bestselling Dan Brown novel. His production of Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production.
Current projects
Never one to shy away from hard work, Luke Sheppard has no fewer than four projects underway in 2025. He directed the international hit musical &Juliet throughout the workshop process and onto production, bringing it to Broadway alongside tours in both the UK and US.
In addition to directing the Starlight Express musical, he is overseeing the development of a new musical based on the Paddington books and films. This is due to open in 2025/26. Meanwhile another new musical, Just For One Day, is scheduled to open at the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre in June 2025. Telling the story of Live Aid, it recently played at the Old Vic and is currently being staged in Toronto.
Catch the Starlight Express
Starlight Express is running at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre until 26 October 2025. With a cast of 40 performing some of theatre’s most beloved songs, it is already delighting a whole new generation. Don’t miss out - book your tickets with KX Tickets today.
