Titanic the Musical – Theatre Review

(photo credit: Pamela Raith)

When I mentioned that I was going to see the UK tour of Titanic the Musical, I was met with a few confused expressions. They made a musical about the Titanic? It may seem a strange topic to become a musical. However with delicacy and sensitivity, I believe theatre and the arts overall can act as a poignant catharsis of horrible tragedies – and Titanic certainly hit the nail on the head. 

It is pretty safe to say that most are aware of the tragedy that took place in 1912 when the RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg, and ‘the unsinkable ship’ lay to rest at the bottom of the ocean. Taking inspiration from the real people who boarded the ship, the ensemble-based musical seamlessly follows the personal stories of the passengers dreaming of what awaits them in America. 

 

The entire cast of this production gave absolutely exceptional performances. They movingly sung through the soulful and richly classic musical theatre score. As it was such a talented and tight ensemble performance, it was difficult to single one performance out.

 

The overall design of the production instantly transported the audience back to the early 1900s. With the set consisting of two levels representing different decks of the ship. The costume design was spectacular in its attention to detail. From just a glance, you instantly understood which class each of the passengers were. 

 

There was a great sense of unified discomfort with the audience, as we sat there knowing the horrible fates of the characters, and their real counterparts. During Act One, they joyfully sing about their loved ones who are waiting for them at home, and how their lives will improve once they reach New York. 

 

Many moments in the musical were beautifully moving. One moment which certainly stood out to me, was the designer of the ship, Thomas Andrews (Ian McLarnon) powerfully singing out as the ensemble pull down on ropes inventively making the set actually rise, mimicking the Titanic’s final moments before sinking. 

 

Although the ending was a difficult watch, the production paid a very touching homage with a board coming down with the names of the 1,503 passengers who lost their lives written on it.

 

As the intensity of the final ensemble harmony finished echoing throughout the auditorium, through teary eyes and a sniffly nose, I left the theatre in a trance, completely caught up in what I had just witnessed. This is a piece of theatre that will definitely stick with me for some time.