The arrival of Titanic The Musical to the Regent Theatre has been awaited with much anticipation. That wait was fully rewarded when the production hit Hanley with a monumental piece of musical theatre that has justifiably won a raft of awards. If Captain Smith’s ghost still haunts the streets of his birthplace, then he will be overjoyed with the reaction of an enraptured audience as they drank in the story of his and many others’ tragic demise.
The terrible events of April 15th 1912 are well known and it is always a matter for debate as to who was ultimately responsible. Was it owner J Bruce Ismay (Martin Allanson) who insisted on a record-breaking but reckless speed? Or was it designer Thomas Andrews who – with the tiniest of modifications to his project – could have made the Titanic truly unsinkable? Or was Captain Smith (Graham Bickley) too weak to resist the pressures on what would have been his last voyage before retirement?
Regardless of the buts and what ifs, it was the lesser members of the ships crew who paid the price and we learn more of their lives as the play evolves. William McMaster Murdoch (Billy Roberts) is unable to cope with the realisation that the iceberg was struck on his watch; Charles Lightoller (Jack North) and stoker Frederick Barrett (Adam Filipe) – who is desperate to return home to see his new fiancée – both express their doubts at some of the decisions taken; the young bellboy (Joseph Peacock) is about to meet his end at the ridiculously young age of fourteen; and steward Etches (Barnaby Hughes) and telegraphist Harold Bride (Alastair Hill) continue their duties to the bitter end.
The audience also get to learn of Ida (Valda Aviks) and Isidor Straus (David Delve) who are inseparable after a long marriage, Lady Caroline Neville (Emma Harrold) and her lover Charles Clarke (Matthew McDonald) who are eloping to be married; Edgar Beane (James Darch) who is trying to cope with the upwardly mobile ambitions of his wife Alice (Bree Smith); and third-class passengers Kate McGowan (Lucie-Mae Sumner) and Jim Farrell (Chris Nevin) who are chasing their American dream.
None of the above or any other characters portrayed are mere figments of writer Peter Stone’s imagination. All of them were living, breathing people which makes the outcome all the more poignant.
Why is Titanic such a must-see musical?
Firstly, it is a very generous script that allows each of the 25-strong company to have their work highlighted.
Secondly, Maury Yeston has created a haunting score. The opening minutes are difficult as the groups of characters are introduced in a slightly rushed manner that requires the utmost concentration but Godspeed Titanic is a soaring piece of music that gloriously encapsulates the euphoria as the great ship set sail. This is followed by Lady’s Maid that captures the hopes and dreams of the Third Class passengers, The Proposal/The Night Was Alive as Barrett and Bride express their hopes for the future, Doing The Latest Rag which sees the passengers blithely oblivious to their forthcoming fate and No Moon which menacingly presages the imminent disaster.
The great music continues in Act Two as the mood changes from disbelief to despair. We’ll Meet Tomorrow and Still are both high-quality tear-jerkers and the final moments before the ship slipped under the sea are magnificently created.
Thirdly – and most importantly – this was a top-notch performance from a cast that was at the top of its game. The Regent has been graced with a succession of powerful productions in recent times but Titanic has a great claim to be the jewel in the crown. Every cast member worked hard to give the excellent work from Director Thom Sutherland, Set and Costume Designer David Woodhead, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson and a talented band under the direction of Ben Papworth full justice. The disaster may have happened on a calm sea but this production swept the viewers along on an onrushing tide of emotion.
It was a privilege to be a part of Titanic The Musical’s maiden voyage into the Potteries as it made musical memories that will linger long. God Speed Titanic – may you rightly remain a legend for many generations to come.
Titanic The Musical has a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes including interval and continues until Saturday April 29th. For ticket information contact atgtickets.com/stoke
