This Broadway production distinguishes itself from James Cameron’s 1997 movie: Titanic The Musical, based on the play by Peter Stone, which is a separate project in its own right. And it’s definitely one to watch this spring, including on its Cardiff leg this week. High expectations generated by the five Tony Awards scooped by the original Broadway production are met here; Thom Southerland has done an excellent job as creative director.
It’s all very atmospheric and captivating, and if a lot of the songs in Titanic The Musical’s score are less upbeat than the average musical number, the New Theatre audience were silent, tuned in to this historical retelling of a widely known tragedy.
Observers might wonder how scenes such as the actual sinking of the Titanic are conveyed onstage: blackouts and clever lighting, as well as breathtaking performances, captured the panic and turmoil. Conversely, there are the songs. What A Remarkable Age This Is, I Give You My Hand, Autumn, To The Lifeboats and We’ll Meet Tomorrow, to name but five, ensure the audience feels every moment, from the introductory joy as we meet the souls on board, some who will not make it past the boat, and the sadness endured during the final moments the ship sees daylight. Characters are based on historical figures from the actual RMS Titanic’s 1912 voyage – including its Captain Edward Smith, and J. Bruce Ismay, the story’s villain.
The passengers’ hopes and dreams we observe have a stratified (social and travelling) class element, too. Third-class occupants hope that reaching New York will be a springboard to a better future; the second-class wish for the wealth and success of those in first class; all are, of course, unaware of what is to come.
An emotional turmoil of a show, Titanic The Musical’s ending displays a list of names of all 1,517 people that lost their lives when the vessel sank. It felt like a puncture to the heart, knowing that the impossible – as proclaimed by many characters, and likely those on board the actual Titanic – can be possible, and to make the most of life, as it can be taken away from you in an instant. Or, if you need a precise figure, two hours and 40 minutes: the duration of this performance.
Titanic The Musical, New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 9 May
On until Sat 13 May. Tickets: £30-£48. Info: here
words MEGAN EVANS
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