Dustin the Big Hopper

Dario Mazzoli as Dustin, Bochum, 2007

Dustin is the Big Hopper in the musical Starlight Express. He is a gentle, kind-hearted soul who is very shy and very sensitive, especially about his weight. His closest friend is Flat-Top but he is also close to Rusty and the rest of the freight yard residents - the Rockies and Poppa. When Poppa decides to race in heat three, Dustin is desperate to race with him. Sadly, it was too much for Poppa due to Dustin's weight but when he races with Rusty for the downhill final, they win!

Musical Numbers

Although not a singing role, Dustin plays a key part in Starlight Express. His only solo lines are during Freight, plus dialogue scenes after Poppa's Blues and the Starlight Sequence. He also guides everyone to find Rusty after he disappears, having won the final race together.

Costume

Dustin's role in the freight train is as a hopper. He carries coal in his capacious body, as is seen through his open shirt front. He wears sturdy work clothes- faded check shirt and trousers held up with braces. His helmet is reminiscent of a safety helmet, the "safety first" ethic suits his character. His large shoulders are a direct copy of the shape of a coal hopper, one of the most literal designs in Starlight Express.

Dustin's outfit was redesigned for Starlight on Ice. He becomes more extreme with no waistline discernible, a very large, clownish figure.

Actors

London Gary Love Drue Williams Geoffrey Stevens Nick Lloyd Greg Ellis Danny Metcalfe Gary Noakes George Canning Mark Davis Graham Martin Jason Capewell Carl Sanderson Dale Branston Broadway Michael Scott Gregory Japan/Australia Geoffrey Stevens

Bochum Gary Noakes Glenn Neate Ramon Visser Nick Lloyd Jesse Adams Steven Dry Yilmaz Aktepe Chris A Mellon Matthew Cutts Dustin Dubreuil Jem Brent Ralf Schaedler Matthew Wing Robbie Frier Ken Anthony Nelson Alexander Wengel Stuart Tayler Dario Mazzoli Jamie Capewell Marlon Moore

First US Tour Anthony Marciona Japan Tour Earl R Rhimer Las Vegas Richard H. Blake Tom Gamblin Tony Tripoli Mikael Petersson Mexico Martin Munoz On Ice Scott Irvine Second US tour Scott Bolt UK Tour Gavin Ashbarry New Zealand Tour Gavin Ashbarry

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dustin_the_Big_Hopper"