Titanic - The Musical (UK Touring)
Amazing how one of the most prolific world disasters can make such an intense subject for a musical which is a testament to the diversity of the genre. If you’re expecting anything particularly outlandish to further dramatise what is already a ‘heart thumping’ event you’ll be disappointed but, if you’re prepared for a rich piece of storytelling with some evocative songs, this will be just the show for you.
There are some key themes throughout the production, not least of all the power struggle at the top between owner, builder and captain all vying for supremacy. It’s hard to know whether to like Simon Green as owner J. Bruce Ismay, is he a visionary businessman or just looking for public notoriety as he piles on the pressure to push the vessel to extremes ? Is Captain Edward Smith, a stoic performance from Philip Rham, purely looking for a final golden voyage before retirement and succumbing to the demands of Ismay rather than focusing on the safety of his passengers ? Finally has builder/designer Thomas Andrews, probably the most likeable of the three due to an empathetic piece of acting from Greg Castiglioni, really to blame for a fatal design flaw ?
Director Thom Southerland highlights the extremes of class divide as the audience are treated to the auspicious surroundings of the 1st Class Dining Salon in contrast to the almost feral eating conditions in 3rd Class. Memorable performances from Claire Machin as Alice Beane desperate to increase her class standing by creatively finding ways to join the rich and elite, alongside Timothy Quinlan as her long suffering husband Edgar, content with his lot and wishing he could convince his wife to feel the same.
Maury Yeston has created some bewitching music and lyrics, not least of all the delightful ‘Autumn’ performed hauntingly by Lewis Corney as band leader Wallace Hartley, famed for continuing to lead his musicians as the Titanic sank. ‘Barrett’s Song’ delivered with conviction by Naill Sheehy as lead stoker Frederick Barrett obviously concerned about the constant requests to increase speed from the bridge and the uplifting ‘Lady’s Maid’ an outstanding ensemble performance from the passengers in 3rd Class, led energetically by Chris McGuigan as Jim Farrell, Victoria Serra as Kate McGowan, Emma Harrold as Kate Mullins and Devon-Elise Johnson as Kate Murphy.
Less than one third of the passengers on the Titanic survived and it’s a sad fact that many of those who died, did so pursuing a better life in America, this production does everything possible to celebrate all of those lives whilst still asking the inevitable questions that come from such a major world event. Suffice to say it would be a theatrical disaster if as many people who can possibly do so didn’t see this production which tours until 19th August 2018.
Book Here
There are some key themes throughout the production, not least of all the power struggle at the top between owner, builder and captain all vying for supremacy. It’s hard to know whether to like Simon Green as owner J. Bruce Ismay, is he a visionary businessman or just looking for public notoriety as he piles on the pressure to push the vessel to extremes ? Is Captain Edward Smith, a stoic performance from Philip Rham, purely looking for a final golden voyage before retirement and succumbing to the demands of Ismay rather than focusing on the safety of his passengers ? Finally has builder/designer Thomas Andrews, probably the most likeable of the three due to an empathetic piece of acting from Greg Castiglioni, really to blame for a fatal design flaw ?
Director Thom Southerland highlights the extremes of class divide as the audience are treated to the auspicious surroundings of the 1st Class Dining Salon in contrast to the almost feral eating conditions in 3rd Class. Memorable performances from Claire Machin as Alice Beane desperate to increase her class standing by creatively finding ways to join the rich and elite, alongside Timothy Quinlan as her long suffering husband Edgar, content with his lot and wishing he could convince his wife to feel the same.
Maury Yeston has created some bewitching music and lyrics, not least of all the delightful ‘Autumn’ performed hauntingly by Lewis Corney as band leader Wallace Hartley, famed for continuing to lead his musicians as the Titanic sank. ‘Barrett’s Song’ delivered with conviction by Naill Sheehy as lead stoker Frederick Barrett obviously concerned about the constant requests to increase speed from the bridge and the uplifting ‘Lady’s Maid’ an outstanding ensemble performance from the passengers in 3rd Class, led energetically by Chris McGuigan as Jim Farrell, Victoria Serra as Kate McGowan, Emma Harrold as Kate Mullins and Devon-Elise Johnson as Kate Murphy.
Less than one third of the passengers on the Titanic survived and it’s a sad fact that many of those who died, did so pursuing a better life in America, this production does everything possible to celebrate all of those lives whilst still asking the inevitable questions that come from such a major world event. Suffice to say it would be a theatrical disaster if as many people who can possibly do so didn’t see this production which tours until 19th August 2018.
Book Here
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