The Regent is the latest stop on the UK tour of ‘Titanic The Musical’ this week. The tale focusses on the real lives of passengers on board White Star Line’s RMS Titanic in a deeply moving and poignant production.
Initial correlations will be made to James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster when looking at the billboards, but instead of a fictional tale as Cameron’s epic was, every one of the characters on stage were actual passengers on board which makes it such a hard-hitting production.
Over 1500 souls tragically perished onboard (estimated around 800 passengers and 700 crew) and it is hard to watch and not shed a tear thinking about the men, women and children who left with such hope from Southampton’s White Star dock at around midday on 10th April 1912. There is something even more poignant that this production is shown at The Regent, with Hanley being the birthplace of the doomed vessel’s captain, Edward Smith, at the helm (played by Graham Bickley famed for play Joey in Carla Lane’s TV series, Bread).
A production of two halves in contrast, with the first half introducing us to the passengers, hearing their stories, seeing the hope and plans they had for the future when they reached their US destination. The second half then unfurls the tragedy that the audience all know is coming, but ultimately dreading, now being invested in the lives of those onboard and following their horror.
Multiple thoughts of course naturally form and talking points raised about vastly under-utilised lifeboats, those seats within dominated by first-class passengers and the unfairness of it all and how contrasted the different class passengers were treated, even in the throes of ultimate tragedy.
The score is truly fantastic and brilliantly harmonised on stage. The music itself takes you on a journey reflecting the sudden shift from first half to second half.
The set is simplistic, with steel riveted backgrounds, but really well used with the clever lighting scheme and the moving stairwells which transform the stage from dining room to promenade deck, bandstand to crows nest.
The 25 strong cast were truly fantastic, some playing multiple passengers. The vocal performances, both individually and collectively were of the highest calibre. There was non-stop movement which was expertly choreographed to show the hustle and bustle of daily life onboard and then ultimately to the panic and despair of the second half.
Even before the lights descended on the final scene, the packed auditorium was off their feet with thunderous applause, whistles and whoops. A reception that was fully deserved. As the curtain descended, so did the names of all who lost their lives as a beautiful tribute and another stark reminder of the reality of the tragedy.
It’s without doubt a spectacular production. It’s poignant, moving, brilliantly executed with an outstanding soundtrack performed by a fantastic cast. Quite simply, you must go and watch it.
The musical is on until 29th April with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are selling fast and available here https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/titanic-the-musical/regent-theatre/
Photos courtesy of Pamela Raith
