Am I cracking up? Was there an 88 sweater in Starlight Express?

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

AIBU to ask here, because I was convinced I made a note on my phone, but nada…

Starlight Express fans, was there a costume of a sports jersey with # 88 on the front in the show?
It is in my head that it would make a good Xmas present.
Checked the notes in my phone, where I was convinced I had taken note, but found nothing.

Am I having memory failure? Or does the show indeed feature a costume of sports jersey with number 88?

I've no idea about the show having one or not, but 88 being a Neo-Nazi dogwhistle/semi-hidden symbol would make me avoid using an 88 in anything these days. https://extremismterms.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/88

Wow, I had no idea.

“It should be noted that 88 can be found in non-extremist contexts. The number is used by ham radio operators to mean "hugs" or "hugs and kisses." Also, a number of NASCAR drivers, including several very well-known ones, have used the number 88, resulting in various automobile stickers and other forms of merchandise sporting that number”.

Interesting. I had no idea either but can’t imagine most people would make that reference if someone wore an 88 jumper?

Thanks @Drivingoverlemons
Interesting.

I’d make the connection but I wouldn’t be sure that the person wearing it had. I would tend to assume they didn’t know, rather than assuming they were a closeted Nazi sending coded Heil Hitlers via their jumper.

I’d think the manufacturer knew very well what it meant though, as it is the kind of thing you would check, so I doubt Starlight Express has kept that jumper in the show.

@MomOfTwoGirls2 It's certainly a reference to the original show in Bochum 88 (1988) but I did not notice that in the show

https://starlightexpressmusical.fandom.com/wiki/1988_Bochum_production

Why would they reference one of many though? Why 88?

I seem to recall sweatshirts in the eighties with 88 on them. A blocky font with diagonal corners, double white outline. It didn't seem that they meant anything, more that it was a pleasing design that seemed relevant to the eighties. I had no idea about the neo-Nazi connotations, though. Is that a more recent thing?