Titanic, Charing Cross Theatre / 2023 UK Tour

[ncbears]

Is this the Southwark/Charing Cross version that was filmed?

[ncbears]

Some details on the filming:

"Filming of the musical took place using seven cameras placed at multiple locations within the New Victoria Theatre during regular performances, with the cast and crew also filming the show in an empty theater during the day. The release plans have been established with a well-known distributor, and an official announcement is expected in the next couple of months."

Some Details

It appears it is both "live" and then some portions filmed on an empty stage - sort of like Miss Saigon?

[theoracle]

I was in Woking when the cameras were in. It does sound rather glorious but not sure how well this will translate onto the screen. There’s far too many storylines and the almost through-sung element makes it tricky to follow. Lovely to listen to of course and some nice performances too. Costumes and set filled the stage. A pity it didn’t seem particularly full, a number of empty seats around where I was

[willjam39]

We saw it at Wycombe and thought the performances were some of the best in a touring show, especially vocally. Loved the use of set but i am a sucker for tight/multi use type sets. Also so glad they filmed it as really enjoyed it. Having mixed an amdram version I know its a tough one to put on so maybe a little biased.

[cheri78]

What a worthwhile trip from France to Sheffield this has been to see Miss Saigon last night and Titanic tonight. Having seen it's original production at Southwark Playhouse then at Charing Cross, this tour surpassed both. That wall of sound from the ensemble was astounding and something you'd rarely hear in a touring production. Hard to single anyone out as it's such a tight ensemble piece, so in fairness I won't, but not one weak link. Such simple but effective staging with beautiful lighting design. And still has the power to move you to tears. Not many venues left but do book to see this. The Sheffield audience were ecstatic at the end and so good to see a theatre full of people watching a musical that they probably do not know the music to already and are prepared to listen and invest in the storytelling. 5* from me, look forward to seeing the filmed version at some future date. Congratulations to all involved, you can be very proud of your work

[david]

It was 5 years ago this week that I last watched the show in Liverpool and having a read of my original post at the time, I gave it a 5⭐️ rating so I was interested to see if after a repeat viewing if this would still be the case for this tour. After last nights trip to the Empire, this viewing was just as good as my last one and I’m still able to give this tour a 5⭐️ rating. What was great to see was that there where a couple of young lads (I’d say less than 13 yrs old) sat near me who were enthralled by the show and giving it rave reviews to their parents at the end of the show.

A really lovely and powerful score performed by a wonderful cast and orchestra. The big ensemble numbers are still the highlight with that wall of sound around the auditorium. The simple set backed up by a lovely lighting design was very effective in the telling of the different characters story arcs. Even though you know the outcome, the stories are still powerful and emotional ones that can bring a tear to the eye. The use of the large board to list the victims of the tragedy at the end still hits hard and a fitting tribute to them in the show.

[ncbears]

Just saw the filmed version. Barnaby Hughes was the standout for me in an excellent cast. Was not a fan of the camera moving constantly - I was getting seasick. This show, in my opinion, did not need such active camera work and lots of editing from mefiun to full to closeup. The sound mix seemed off at first so the vocals, I thought, did not seem to soar as much as I remember. Still, Zi swear it was my allergies acting up making my eyes watery and teary.

[anthony40]

As this is getting cinema screenings, is there any update on a DVD/Blu-Ray release?

Moderators, feel free to merge thread if necessary.

[anita]

DVD available on Amazon.com. Out on 9th July.

[thedrowsychaperone]

This show moves me like no other. Definitely shows that I prefer, but I saw this in Norwich last year and was balling at the end of the epic opening number.

[anita]

May 23, 2024 9:56:56 GMT thedrowsychaperone said:

This show moves me like no other. Definitely shows that I prefer, but I saw this in Norwich last year and was balling at the end of the epic opening number.

All the names of the lost on the end curtain really got to me. - Very emotional.

[anthony40]

Slightly off topic- but still Titanic related (moderators, please move if need be) we seem to have a morbid fascination with this tragic disaster- over 100 years later, we’re still talking about it.

Although I am from Sydney, when I was recently In Australia I had to fly to Melbourne with my Mother to attend a family wedding. As we arrived a few days earlier, we had some time- that where we saw Groundhog Day- so we went to the Melbourne museum where they were presenting a Titanic exhibition.

The museum itself was free however, just like here, you had to pay for the exhibition. Once you had done so, they gave you a ‘boarding card’- which was a white double-sided card, with the White Star logo on the front and on the back the details of an actual passenger. It was only at the end that you found out whether you survived or not.

I can’t remember what my Mother had, but I had the details of a middle-aged woman. What I do remember is that we both survived.

It was set up with luggage either side of the gangplank, as if you were boarding the ship. It then took you room by room, with panels with photographs and descriptions of all on the key players in this story.

In addition, a reconstruction of the rooms- state tooms, the dining rooms, the crews quarters, the grand staircase with the glass domed ceiling was also a highlight. It just showed how accurately they got it for the film.

This was one of those exhibitions were you walked through at your own pace however as you did so, there were back ground noises of the ship creaking and slicing through the water.

Knowing the eventual outcome, after a period of time and as we approached the bulk-head doors I said to my Mother ‘we must be about to hit the iceberg soon’ and sure enough, around the corner every recorded detail was laid out before you. To give you a sense of how cold it was, there was even an iceberg that you could touch.

In terms of the passengers, regardless of gender or class, they were in three groups; the ones in the in lifeboats who survived, the many left flailing about in the water as the ship sunk from beneath their very feet (as depicted in the film) and those who went down with the ship.

As referenced above, it was only at the end that you found out if the passenger you were randomly allocated on your ‘boarding pass’ survived.

There’s no denying the tragedy this was, or the magnitude it. I have been to other Titanic exhibitions in the past but what stuck me was the fact that as far as they were all famously concerned, this ship was unsinkable and the thought that it would- let alone break apart as it did- was inconceivable.

Yet to imagine what they brought to the surface after sitting at the bottom of the ocean, over 4 miles down, is equally inconceivable! A cabinet full of plates each stacked on top of one another, each bearing the White Star logo, in pristine condition (the wood from the cabinet has rotted away after all this time) but the plates are all fine.

Smaller items such as wedding rings and tie pins! Again, inconceivable!

After about three hours we were both emotionally drained!

If anyone is heading ‘down under’ I would STRONGY recommend this!

museumsvictoria.com.au/media-releases/melbourne-museum-presents-titanic-the-artefact-exhibition-a-titanic-journey-like-no-other/

[theatrefan62]

The pro shot of the UK tour is currently available to buy on amazon (digital only) for half price.

I'm a prime member though so don't know if it's prime members only, or for all.

[SilverFox]

I have seen this show a number of times live (Charing Cross, York Royal, Hull Truck etc) and also the filmed staging (at a cinema) of the recent tour. The film is very good - in truth, I think it lacks the emotional kick from the live shows, but is still highly recommended.

[willjam39]

Jul 25, 2024 18:03:09 GMT SilverFox said:

I have seen this show a number of times live (Charing Cross, York Royal, Hull Truck etc) and also the filmed staging (at a cinema) of the recent tour. The film is very good - in truth, I think it lacks the emotional kick from the live shows, but is still highly recommended.

To be fair that is always a problem when capturing a full on theatre piece on film. The audiences collective feelings add so much to our experience even if at a sub conscious level which a recording cant conjure up.

[anita]

Being shown on Sky Arts 7pm on Monday 26th August.

[bobbievanhusen]

Just watching it now. When did they give
The opening song, In Every Age' to Ismay instead of Andrews?

[ThereWillBeSun]

Caught the last ten mins!

[thedrowsychaperone]

Aug 26, 2024 18:39:31 GMT bobbievanhusen said:

Just watching it now. When did they give
The opening song, In Every Age' to Ismay instead of Andrews?

In 2012, one of the original Broadway cast members did a vast rewrite to create this more "intimate" version of the show, with lots of doubling roles and a smaller band and this is the version that's mostly been done professionally since (although you can still license both the original and 'ensemble' versions of the show)

This version also reallocated lots of the material, so I suppose the thinking is that Ismay is the only surviving member of the trio looking back at the tragedy...

[Someone in a tree]

I really liked watching this last night on the tellybox! Gorgeous score and production. I'd love for a cast recording.

Id like to know the stats on costume changes? Those backstage clothes rails must be really busy!

[crabtree]

I have a lot of time for this musical, and saw both the Broadway production and this touring one _ I also saw a spectacular and shattering amateur production in Liverpool. This screened production felt very much a chamber production, with some rather muffled sound, and a rather threadbear rendeing of a lush orchestral score, but I was hooked for every minute of it.

[david]

It’s back on Sky Arts this Sunday 3pm

[bobbievanhusen]

Aug 27, 2024 8:32:51 GMT thedrowsychaperone said:

Aug 26, 2024 18:39:31 GMT bobbievanhusen said:

Just watching it now. When did they give
The opening song, In Every Age' to Ismay instead of Andrews?

In 2012, one of the original Broadway cast members did a vast rewrite to create this more "intimate" version of the show, with lots of doubling roles and a smaller band and this is the version that's mostly been done professionally since (although you can still license both the original and 'ensemble' versions of the show)

This version also reallocated lots of the material, so I suppose the thinking is that Ismay is the only surviving member of the trio looking back at the tragedy...

This was the production that originated at the Southwark Playhouse, wasn't it? Andrews was definitely singing the song in that production in 2013 (I can't belive that was 11 years ago now!)

[karloscar]

It would seem totally out of character for Ismay to voice such noble sentiments when he's a pompous insufferable narcissistic prig, who cares only about making money and news headlines. Musically it's closely linked to Mr Andrews Vision too, so it makes even less sense to take it away from him. Weird choice by the director.

[alece10]

Aug 28, 2024 3:50:17 GMT bobbievanhusen said:

Aug 27, 2024 8:32:51 GMT thedrowsychaperone said:

In 2012, one of the original Broadway cast members did a vast rewrite to create this more "intimate" version of the show, with lots of doubling roles and a smaller band and this is the version that's mostly been done professionally since (although you can still license both the original and 'ensemble' versions of the show)

This version also reallocated lots of the material, so I suppose the thinking is that Ismay is the only surviving member of the trio looking back at the tragedy...

This was the production that originated at the Southwark Playhouse, wasn't it? Andrews was definitely singing the song in that production in 2013 (I can't belive that was 11 years ago now!)

I remember seeing it at Southwark Playhouse. They had no air con and its was absolutely boiling in the theatre. It was a massive cast if I remember rightly and I felt so sorry for them as the costumes were very thick and heavy especially in that heat. But I really did enjoy the musical and it sounded wonderful in such a small venue with such a big cast.