Titanic
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 7th June 2016
★★★★
Yeston and Stone's musical is an ensemble piece which gives a snapshot into the lives of different people on board Titanic in 1985. Although we all know where the story is heading, the first act is charming and relatively easygoing - there are dabbles of humour and light relief which make the drama in the second act all the more traumatic. Yeston's score is sometimes beautiful, sometimes riveting and sometimes haunting. It's everything you could possibly want from a chamber musical.
Thom Southerland's production of Titanic by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone created a huge buzz at the Southwark Playhouse in 2013. People were fighting for tickets and there were even whispers of a Broadway transfer. Having revived the piece in Toronto last year, Southerland has brought Titanic back to London to kick off his debut season as artistic director of the Charing Cross Theatre.
Producer and casting director Danielle Tarento has put together a magnificent cast - we're spoiled with West End talent. Whilst some individuals have their chance to shine during solo numbers, the highlights of the night are the big ensemble numbers. When the entire cast faced forward and sang their hearts out shivers were sent down my spine. They really strike a chord, and remind us that this actually happened.
Southerland's production is slick and fine tuned, never losing its focus. Thank goodness Yeston and Stone's musical has returned to London to give more theatregoers the opportunity to see it. The Charing Cross Theatre has had a bumpy ride over the past few years, but the venue is clearly in safe hands with Thom Southerland at the helm.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Titanic runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until 6th August 2016.
Click here for tickets.
Photo Credit: Scott Rylander
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