Blackpool Grand – until 25 March 2023
Reviewed by Debra Skelton
5*****
Titanic The Musical has sailed its way into Blackpool and what a show it is.
I have to say that the 11 Academy Award-winning worldwide film directed by James Cameron is a huge favourite of mine and I have lost count of the number of times that I have seen it. Trying to recreate the story of Titanic and its final hours into a musical was something that I was interested in seeing and I can only say what a fabulous 5 times Tony Awards production created by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone it was.
The musical is about the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic from Southampton to New York and the collision with an iceberg that resulted in the sinking of the described “unsinkable ship” on the 14th of April 1912 which was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th century with 1517 men, women and children losing their lives.
Based on real people who were aboard this legendary ship including J. Bruce Ismay of the White Star Line, Edward Smith the captain and Thomas Andrews the builder this musical is an impressive and stirring production which focuses on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories of their own.
This production starred Martin Allanson as J. Bruce Ismay, Graham Bickley as Captain Edward Smith and Ian McLarnon as Thomas Andrews who were supported by an incredible cast. Their voices can only be described as out of this world and along with their acting talents created such a presence on stage in telling a truly remarkable story.
Special thanks are also needed to Thom Southerland the Director, Maury Yeston for music and lyrics, David Woodhead for creating such an adaptable set and for the authentic costumes, Andrew Johnson for sound, Howard Hudson for lighting and Cressida Carre for musical staging.
Please Note: Titanic the Musical is not a musical of the film. This is the Broadway musical