The Lowry, Manchester – until Saturday May 12th 2018
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
Titanic – The Musical, a disaster as a musical? Not exactly something that sits comfortably with most people. The story of RMS Titanic is ingrained in British folklore, it’s as British as fish and chips. The stories of human endeavour have been passed down through generations; Titanic is not remembered for it’s magnificent feat of engineering but as Britain’s greatest maritime accident, one that to many should never and could never happen. This production is based the book written by Peter Stone, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston.
Not surprisingly upon entering the theatre, you know what is going to happen, yet it doesn’t make watching the inevitable any less uncomfortable to your soul. It’s a five time Tony award winner and from the outset you can see why, it’s stunning yet simple stage set captivates you like a giant galvanised lego kit. Characters are busy, scurrying around bringing their wares to fill this giant floating city on her maiden voyage, they leave the stage wonder into the auditorium; making us feel like the waiting family members, poised with hankies in hand to wave off our loved ones heading to America. Checking the programme before taking my seat, I noted no Rose, no Jack and no nod to Celine Dion not a bad thing as sometimes a song or character can overpower a story. This version is in my opinion more realistic to the era, everyone adores a love story but this is 1912, Georgian Britain, Victoria had been dead for a decade. It was a Britain that expected greatness beyond all things. That expectation was ultimately to be Titanics downfall.
The performances on all levels are spine chilling; the songs verging on operatic are full of information that tell a thousand stories. We see steady hands at the helm for this tour of the UK and Ireland, with returning stalwarts Greg Castiglioni, Phil Rahm and Simon Green. Together in the second act they bring such vibrant passion to life in a moment of dismay and realisation. As each in turn looks to blame the other and accepts fault. Thomas Andrews (Greg Castiglioni) is portrayed as a proud designer, here was a true engineering feat a floating city, he points the finger at J. Bruce Ismay (Simon Green) for pushing the Titanic to the point of breaking in his quest for a new Atlantic crossing record. Ismay a man of the upper classes born into privilege, all he has ever known has been silver spoon fed to him. The White Star Line were ships built with decadence, every comfort for those paying First Class had been considered even if it meant cutting back on those lifeboats, for Titanic was unsinkable. Unsinkable she may have been if Ismay had let her be, settle in to life at sea. Instead he pushed her to breaking point. Captain Smith (Philip Rahm) a true sea-dog, should’ve retired but the lure of taking the helm for Titanic’s maiden voyage was a swansong he felt unable to resist. A captain of the old order, ignoring the new upcoming technologies which may well have prevented a disaster, we see a man determined to dine his passengers and even he is cajoled into pushing this great ship onward towards New York at a rate that exceeded any safety advice. Little did he know he would gain notoriety as one of Britain’s most well known Captains but not as the hero he expected. The Passengers and crew aboard The Titanic are typical to the era and each and every one has a different personality, you feel drawn to them, long for their stories and cleverly we hear those stories and piece together how they come to be on board. The lower decks are boarded by the working classes, their stories of optimism and longing for a new life, they strive to better themselves for in America, anything can happen. Jim Farrell (Chris McGuigan) and Kate Mullins (Emma Harrold) are escaping poverty in Ireland, Kate is escaping for a future both for herself and unborn child, Jim longs to be a policeman – an impossibility in Ireland for him. They agree to marry on board and dream of a life free from restraint. Second class are those split between having seen what the Upper classes have, those who long to taste that life and those just content. Edgar Beane (Timothy Quinlon) is the long suffering husband to socialite wannabe Alice (Caire Machin) a truly likeable character seeking the fun and in a true American style seeks more in life. Lady Caroline Neville (Claire Marlowe) is eloping with Charles Lightoller (Alistair Barron) the son of a grocer. They are listed as married it’s a Downtonesque style story across the classes, she doesn’t miss her father or lifestyle yet when she is recognised cannot bring herself to say that she’s a second class passenger. First Class well from the lovable Strauses (Dudley Rogers and Janet Mooney stepping in at the last minute) who remain together until the final moments lovingly dancing together bringing a tear to many an eye. They enjoy a life of luxury, maids and waiters cater to every whim of the first class passengers. The panic stricken crew whose fete is sealed, Harold Bride (Oliver Marshall) as the young radio operator who has no friends except for his radio set, remains at post to send out the newly recognised SOS destress call. It’s one of many heart stopping moments to know these people will not make it out alive. Sitting forward in my chair, I needed to remind myself to relax and breathe. As the screen closes on those who have failed to survive, we see the backs of the survivors looking up at a very long list of over a thousand names at the Titanic memorial. If I had’ve had a rotten tomato then I surely would’ve thrown it at J. Bruce Ismay for daring to believe it was his right to take a seat on a lifeboat all of which were painfully under occupied yet remained so despite the screams because of an acute fear and knowledge that Titanic had too many passengers to save. It ends as it begins with bright faces seeking to board Titanic yet with a difference the survivors look down on those ghosts of loved ones as if reliving the moment. For moments time stand still, the sadness unbearable.
Titanic –The Musical is a stunning production from start to finish and despite the story being known to see it this way, emotive and passionate unleashes the belief that it should never have happened. It doesn’t point the finger at one person but simply introduces us to a catalogue of disastrous decisions that led to Titanic never being forgotten and the men who commissioned, built and sailed her being just as memorable. I am totally in awe and wish I could turn back time to watch it all over again. This is the drama of real life, brought to life in the greatest memorial ever offered.