Titanic, Charing Cross Theatre / 2023 UK Tour

[d'James]

Interesting point max about stunt casting. I'm trying to think which characters could be played by a name. Edgar Bean maybe as he's got the most obvious comedy lines. The actor playing him was so brilliant though, I wouldn't want to not have him in he cast if he was available.

[Anniek]

Don't agree. This cast is super! Doesn't need a famous name just because.
I want this cast to be there for a hopefully next revival, as for quite some of them it's already their third time doing titanic, but they still seem so fresh! (e.g Victoria Serra playing Kate is so moving, and she hits every emotion and depth in her character to the fullest)

[Deleted]

If they took Victoria Serra out I'd boycott haha.

[westendcub]

I too don't think it needs star names, it's a pure ensemble piece - there is no star bow at the end, all the cast are equal - not saying a 'star' wouldn't fit to that ethos - there was a big crowd waiting for Niall do a star in stagey circles is in it currently!!

I would say it need to remain the chamber piece version - it doesn't ever need to go back to a big cast, the multiple roles really adds to the theatrical experience and the strong vocals in this cast it sounded like a chorus of 40!!

Also keep the set simple like it is now, sometimes less really is more.

It's just wonderful, I hope to see it soon (would travel to see it)

Sail on.......

[d'James]

I really agree. I honestly can't think of anything I'd change. Obviously they'd have to make the set a bit bigger for certain theatres but it wouldn't need to be any more complicated.

There are some cast members who I would absolutely keep the same and some others I wouldn't mind if they were different, but that's probably just the roles.

[max]

I wouldn't change anything either. But, the leap to viability on tour or West End is potentially a tricky one.

Hoping for more, but at the very least film this cast.

[mallardo]

Aug 10, 2016 13:49:11 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Aug 10, 2016 12:13:47 GMT @snutte said:

If they took Victoria Serra out I'd boycott haha.

The trouble with Ms Serra is that if you know nothing about her, then you won't always notice her immediately - but once you notice, you keep seeing her. If you are already a fan, then she's pretty much impossible NOT to watch. I think she has that very rare thing called "stage presence."

I also think she has that rare thing called "utter gorgeousness".

[westendcub]

Listening to the Broadway cast recording, I noticing that the 2nd class eloping couple (green grocers son) duet is missing??

If I'm listening right was this added when it became a 'chamber piece'?

[d'James]

Oh. What was their song called?

[westendcub]

Found it, in 'New Moon' for some reason I thought it was earlier in the act...wow this is such w good song, so much going on and foreboding

[d'James]

Ignore me then haha.

[westendcub]

Aug 10, 2016 17:28:15 GMT d'James said:

Oh. What was their song called?

I just located it, it's within the number 'New Moon'

[theatre-turtle]

I was here tonight and thought it was fab - used a random poster's TodayTix discount so they'll get a nice £10 surprise in their account when they see it . The theatre itself is VERY hot at the moment, and I was sweating throughout. I can't imagine how it must have been for the actors under the lights.

It think the musical is pretty strong as a book musical - with a well integrated score and book. Having said that there weren't too many stand out numbers and as an ensemble piece I can see it being a bit forgettable.

The staging was simple but generally effective, though I think some of the things like going in and out of the double doors brought me out of the action. The vocals were generally good but some of the cast members sounded pretty croaky - maybe fatigue from the long run. I've heard better from some of the cast, like Niall Sheehy.

Rob Houchen is lovely - his voice makes me melt.

[SamB (was badoerfan)]

God, yes, it was boiling in there tonight, wasn't it! (and someone used my TodayTix code tonight, if that was you skildpadde, thank you)

I really enjoyed it. I think it's a good ensemble piece - interestingly, and unusually for me at least, I found the ensemble numbers much stronger than the solo/duet songs. Partly the volume and the excellent harmonies, which create a real wall of noise, but also I think those songs are more striking and memorable. The show's strength is in its ensemble cast, but that's also its weakness too, in that it means we only get a shallow amount of characterisation on a lot of the characters, which has the result that the songs (particularly the love duets between the various couples) fell rather flat for me.

My favourite part was the scene where they manhandle the women into the lifeboats - I thought that was exceptionally well done, in the music, the acting and the staging.

[Deleted]

Is the elderly lady play Ida Straus singing again? When i saw it she spoke and their song 'Still' became a solo

[d'James]

Aug 10, 2016 22:44:37 GMT @tbfl said:

Is the elderly lady play Ida Straus singing again? When i saw it she spoke and their song 'Still' became a solo

All three times I saw it (including yesterday) she sang. I really like her voice, very characterful.

[theatre-turtle]

Aug 10, 2016 22:06:59 GMT SamB (was badoerfan) said:

God, yes, it was boiling in there tonight, wasn't it! (and someone used my TodayTix code tonight, if that was you skildpadde, thank you)

I really enjoyed it. I think it's a good ensemble piece - interestingly, and unusually for me at least, I found the ensemble numbers much stronger than the solo/duet songs. Partly the volume and the excellent harmonies, which create a real wall of noise, but also I think those songs are more striking and memorable. The show's strength is in its ensemble cast, but that's also its weakness too, in that it means we only get a shallow amount of characterisation on a lot of the characters, which has the result that the songs (particularly the love duets between the various couples) fell rather flat for me.

My favourite part was the scene where they manhandle the women into the lifeboats - I thought that was exceptionally well done, in the music, the acting and the staging.

Whereabouts were you sitting? I was in N9 - perfect view, though I wouldn't want to be any further back.

[groupbooker]

Love, love the show and really hoping they can get a tour up - this needs to be seen by the masses!! Even though I am in Cornwall, I have talked about a dozen folk to go and see the production and all have loved it. How about Dress Circle getting in touch with the producers for a cast album? They did some of their own label CD's before?? May ease the cost and D/C could promote it??

[d'James]

We should set up a crowdfunding thing.

By the way I sat in the second row from back and the view was fine too.

[Deleted]

If any of you new fans of the show want to know more about the making of the original Broadway production, you really should check out 'Titanic - The complete book of the musical' It has the story about how the show was put together, what worked, what didnt, what was cut in previews, hundreds of pictures and designs, and then the complete libretto of the show.

The original set was done using different perspectives. My favourite of these was at the end of act 1. No Moon was done using a tierd set, showing the different levels of decks, and then the whole set rose to give a final perspective of the ship itself. I believe it was cut during previews. The reveal is at 5mins. It gets a big reaction!

[d'James]

Thanks for sharing @tbfl. I really don't like the 'little' Titanic at the end. That is what I was fearing the Charing Cross production would be like. Thankfully they trusted the audience to use their imaginations.

I did wonder if they should end Act One with the 'Iceberg right ahead' line and begin Act Two with the deafening sound of it hitting the iceberg. However, that would lose an important part of Murdoch's story.

[Deleted]

I was also there tonight... we really need badges, for all we know we have sat by each other haha! Firstly, I am glad I am not the only one who noticed the heat, I felt like I was gonna melt!

The show was stunning, pretty close to perfect, incredible. the cast were amazing, especially with their changing every 5 or so minutes. The score was great I thought the way the sinking was done was inventive and the final plunge was stunning!

From the minute the lifeboat was going, I cried and didn't stop. One of the most moving moments for me came from the young bellboy (who was also my personal highlight!). When he said he was only 14 I burst into tears at the thought of his demise. In the final scene where they said the amount of people lost etc, I couldn't help but reflect not only on the cast but also the real history, which made it even more heartbreaking. And that final song, chills and overwhelmed like I have never been in the theatre, to a point where I was still crying on the way out. I cant remember ever being so in awe and overwhelmed in the theatre, I was just incredible.

I so hope there is life for this show after this run, it so deserves it! If you can, grab a ticket or you will seriously regret it!

[theatre-turtle]

Agreed the 14 year old boy got me going too, as well as the song with the elderly couple who sank together at the end. It reminded me of another fantastic musical, grand hotel.

[SamB (was badoerfan)]

Aug 10, 2016 22:49:21 GMT theatre-turtle said:

Aug 10, 2016 22:06:59 GMT SamB (was badoerfan) said:

God, yes, it was boiling in there tonight, wasn't it! (and someone used my TodayTix code tonight, if that was you skildpadde, thank you)

I really enjoyed it. I think it's a good ensemble piece - interestingly, and unusually for me at least, I found the ensemble numbers much stronger than the solo/duet songs. Partly the volume and the excellent harmonies, which create a real wall of noise, but also I think those songs are more striking and memorable. The show's strength is in its ensemble cast, but that's also its weakness too, in that it means we only get a shallow amount of characterisation on a lot of the characters, which has the result that the songs (particularly the love duets between the various couples) fell rather flat for me.

My favourite part was the scene where they manhandle the women into the lifeboats - I thought that was exceptionally well done, in the music, the acting and the staging.

Whereabouts were you sitting? I was in N9 - perfect view, though I wouldn't want to be any further back.

I was in E8 - I would probably rather have been a couple of rows further back. You aren't too close there, and at least it's raked, but with a lot happening on different levels, there was a lot of looking up.

[Anniek]

The one good thing about this production closing is that I can't spend any more money on it.. yesterday was brilliant once again. Bought a ticket today, which makes it impossible for me to buy more tickets.. oops. #4visitstogo #someonehelpmeplease