Titanic The Musical

Titanic is set on the ocean liner RMS Titanic and is based on real people who were aboard this legendary ship focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the passengers and the men who got them there, all innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them. Spanning all classes, it tells the stories from the whole range of humanity aboard the ship from the workers in the boiler room to first-class attendants, from the poorest passengers in third class, to some of the wealthiest men of the Victorian era. To cast Titanic you do need many men and companies performing this usually find that many of the cast have to portray multiple characters but not so in this case, as there were, unbelievably, 24 male cast members on stage.

The White Star Line Director, Bruce J Ismay, whose only concern seemed to be to beat the existing time in getting to America, was stridently, arrogantly and powerfully portrayed by Mike Brobbin - you really did want to hate him! Jon Bennett was excellent as Thomas Andrews the ship’s designer. He totally captured the emotional decline of the character, from his initial pride, to apprehension, to fear and finally depression and his rendition of ‘Mr. Andrew’s Vision’ was so agonizingly delivered. Danny Winson was perfect as Captain E J Smith. He was quietly dignified, level headed and definitely in command. ‘The Blame’, where the aforementioned characters each blame one another for the tragedy, was superbly and so fervently sung by Mike, Jon and Danny. Robert Spencer (First Officer Murdoch), Ryan Mitchell (Second Officer Lightoller), Andy Moore (Third Officer Pitman) and Sam Widdowson (Quartermaster Hitchens) were all great as the ship’s officers. Lee McCusker was superb as stoker Frederick Barrett as was Karl Brennan as Harold Bride, the telegraph radioman. The songs ‘The Proposal/The Night was Alive’ were a definite highlight - simply terrific. David Thorpe was great as Henry Etches, the 1st. Class Steward and as Frederick Fleet, the Lookout, Euan Blair’s singing of ‘No Moon’ was splendid. Daniel McGovern (Bellboy) and the three 1st Class Stewardesses - Sarah Bates, Amy Norton and Hannah Spencer gave first-class support!

The 1st. Class passengers were all exemplary but I must mention Sue Siddall (Ida Strauss) and Doug Melloy (Isidor Strauss) because I thought they were top notch. Their duet ‘Still’ was so heartfelt and so movingly delivered it brought tears to my eyes. 

Sarah Morrell was in her element as 2nd. Class passenger Alice Beane. She so brilliantly and hilariously brought out every ounce of humour in the role. Alice was determined to join the ‘upper crust’ and she did manage this when she participated in the only well choreographed song and dance routine, ‘Doing The Latest Rag’, with excellent performances from Andy Moore and Alison Doram. Sarah (Alice)followed this up with a duet ‘I Have Danced’ with her husband, well played by Simon Lewington. Also from 2nd. Class Charlotte Gratton and Jordan Driffield, so lovingly played the engaged couple Caroline Neville and Charles Gratton. 

From 3rd. Class, Irishman Jim Farrell was played wonderfully by Ed Telfer and his feisty pregnant fiancee Kate McGowan was played delightfully by Danielle Kennedy, what a great pairing they made. Two other Irish young ladies Kate Mullins and Kate Murphey were splendidly portrayed by Sophie Cheetham and Kerry Towndrow-Birds. 

What made this show so exceptional was the absolutely outstanding vocals, not only from the principals, but also from the magnificent ensemble - the harmonious chorus singing was just mind-blowing! The thirteen piece orchestra was marvellous, what a magnificent sound they produced. These two aspects, the singing and the orchestra, were just sensational. Costumes, lighting and staging were spot on, just a few first night issues with sound but overall a stupendous production. Every accolade must go to the whole cast, to the Director, the Musical Director, the Choreographer and to everyone involved. Chesterfield Operatic Society can certainly feel very proud of this production and of the way in which they most impressively and poignantly delivered what was, such a monumental disaster.

 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.