Titanic the Musical

‘Titanic the Musical’ was new to me, but I can relate the events of that terrible night backwards because of passion, in my teens, for the film ‘A Night to Remember’, but then I was a little in love with Kenneth More! Your clever Facebook posts ensured that I had heard ‘Godspeed Titanic’ and it became an ‘earworm’ in my head immediately and just writing the words has started it again! I loved it!

I was immediately impressed by the simplicity of the staging of this production, the single set with its movable gantry staircases and the sets of railings used to effect to create the prow of the ship were very creative. Lighting and sound were equally impressive, as were the beautiful costumes so evocative of the Edwardian period; the attention to detail was excellent.

I‘ve had a problem with the concept of this musical which in reality is two hours spent telling the true story of immense tragedy. Yes the sinking of the ship took not a lot more than two hours, but the book (Peter Stone) just chose to concentrate on vignettes of few passengers’ lives and the more prosaic happenings on the bridge. It avoided the panic, the cowardice, the nastiness and only hinted at the bravery and gallantry of many passengers. It paid lip service to the class structure which created the situation of so many 3rd class passenger deaths.

So wisely, the director created a floating portrait of Edwardian society where even the 3rd class beautiful Irish girls were delightfully dressed. The visual pictures he created will stay in my mind for a long time, the cleverness of the embarkation, the travel, the iceberg and the final lifeboat scenes and the graphic sunken liner. Well done James More, you brought a tear to my eye.

The undoubted star of this musical was just that, the music. Seldom have I heard a more melodious score. James Finbow managed a superb orchestra, the sound they created was rich and full and controlled and complemented some of the best singing I have heard in a musical. Everyone on the stage was totally believable; they worked as a team and had been rehearsed incredibly well.

Within the ‘vignettes’ of story there were some outstanding performances, in First Class, Isador and Ida Strauss were a total delight, their story was funny, emotional and tragic, beautifully performed. In Second Class, Alice Beane was amazing, she was a delight to watch and her singing was beautiful. In Third Class the three ‘Kate’s’ were a delight and their dancing and singing was memorable. On the Bridge and among the crew and staff of the White Star line, there were outstanding performances from Captain Smith, emotional but intelligent, Thomas Andrews with his beautiful voice, Bruce Ismay, his performance was very strong ; a difficult role to play when you know the audience are against you! Finally16 year old George Tucker, playing radio operator Harold Bride, he showed a maturity way beyond his years and with a terrific voice his command and understanding of his role was amazing. But my congratulations go to the whole cast and production team, not a weak link on stage, back stage and musically.

This was a musical treat and it’s a great pity so many people will have missed it.

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