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Grammy award winning musical docks at Cardiff’s New Theatre on its 10th anniversary tour
Based on the most notorious ship in history, Titanic the Musical follows the journey of the ill-fated maiden voyage (spoiler alert: it sinks) and the stories of the passengers aboard. Premiering on Broadway in 1997, composer Maury Yeston spoke of the musical’s inception: “It was a guiding influence for me and Peter Stone [writer] that every name in the play be based on a true person who was aboard the ship.” There is a big cast with lots of different characters to keep track of, so much so that it is hard to grow attached to anyone early on.
The musical opens rather frantically with people buzzing to board the ship for their journey to New York. There is ruckus as the masses swarm the stage and thumping orchestration accompanies powerful ensemble vocals. From the off, there are nods to My Fair Lady and clear Les Miserables influences; at times this is effective but mostly, it does not work. In trying to replicate Les Mis in style, almost every word is sung which comes across more like an opera and the telling of the story through a monotonous tune is less than engaging. For example, class-aspiring Alice Beane (Bree Smith) introduces the elite passengers one by one in a fast-singing passage that is almost unnatural and difficult to make out every word.
Although the score is very samey with indistinct numbers, there are some fantastic vocals. Mr Barrett (Adam Filipe), a worker on the ship, had an amazing voice and his duet with telegraphist Harold Bride (Alastair Hill) worked beautifully. Lady’s Maid – a song sung by the three Kates (of which Lucie-Mae Summer took the lead) and the other 3rd Class passengers about their hopes and dreams for a new world was nicely arranged with a sense of melancholy given the ship’s impending fate.
One song that was a little bit different was Doing the Latest Rag, an upbeat Charleston style piece with lively dancing performed by the 1st Class passengers. Similarly, the melee of Dressed in Your Pyjamas in the Grand Salon following an alert of danger was an enjoyable scene. One thing to be noted is that the costumes were brilliant and true to history from the rags of the lower classes to the colourful adorned frocks of high society. The first act ended with a wonderful choral number (No Moon #2) in which the cast belt out that the Titanic will sail on.
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The second act was much more riveting and emotional than the humdrum first act. It was shorter with increased substance allowing the audience to grow more accustomed to the characters and relationships. The technical facts about the soon to be disaster were delivered as speech making it more haunting and easier to register. In addition, the comments and subsequent decisions regarding the class-divide aboard the ship were hard-hitting; the lower classes being left to “drown with the other rats” and the realisation that “over half of us are going to die” made for powerful watching. The Blame was an excellent number sung by the owner (Martin Allanson), the architect (Ian McLarnon) and the Captain (Graham Bickley). The musical arrangement was a little different with a repetitive, electronic keyboard tune backing their argument and subsequent finger pointing.
The near misses, guilt and sadness manifested in We’ll Meet Tomorrow, an emotional song made all the more sombre given the disaster is steeped in reality. Elderly 1st Class couple the Strauses (Valda Aviks, David Delve) were endearing in their romance and plight to be together in Still. Ian McLarnon in the role of the architect undoubtedly had one of the stand-out numbers in the show; Mr Andrews’ Vision was an incredible solo performance which showcased his vocal strength and unbridled torment.
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Whilst the set remained the same throughout with the deck of the boat visible above the action, the deck began tilting at the climax to show the sinking of the ship. This was really simple but effective alongside the slow motion and darkness beneath. The end was unquestionably more moving and one of the best parts of the show. The survivors’ epilogues of mournful facts and reflections, backed by a giant memorium screen showing the names of the dead, had a huge impact.
The chorus united to sing and dance to beautiful stringed music in the afterlife, united in history forevermore. Titanic the Musical is not to everyone’s taste and frankly tried too hard to be something it’s not, nevertheless there was certainly talent on display and the true history kept it grounded in emotion.
Titanic The Musical, New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 9 May
On until Sat 13 May. Tickets: £30-£48. Info: here
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