A performance as powerful and awe inspiring as the great ship herself.
It was quite fitting that on this, the opening night of
DarlingtonOS production of Titanic, that the heavens had opened and the
audience arrived already soaked through and shivering.
We all know the story of the ill fated maiden voyage and it is
well celebrated this year through both factual and dramatised TV productions
but I defy any of them to be as moving, as emotional and as immersive as this
show.
The opening scenes, with the passengers and crew viewing the
mighty ship for the first time is a testament to the direction and choreography
of Scott St Martyn - the use of simple projections along with perfect stage
management gave everyone no doubt that we were about to set sail on a
monumentous journey. The cast, in joining together for a rafter lifting
first chorus, set the scene, the pace and the expectation that everything about
this show was going to be huge. The opening number is all the more
heart-aching because we know the fate that lies in wait for many of the
characters; the first class passengers who openly flaunt their wealth &
riches, the 2nd class who looking enviously at 1st whilst living beyond
their means just to try and fit in and the 3rd class who bring only
themselves and their dreams. Death doesn't discriminate.
Back in 1912 the Titanic started her journey at a quite
sedate 18 knots but this show went straight to full power and didn't let
up once. The pacing of each scene was breathtaking whilst the
interaction between characters was a perfect example of how to sell a back
story, develop interaction and create personae all within one
number. The main characters, acting as the golden thread running
through the whole show, were never in danger of bullying their way to 'front
& centre' - each was sympathetic to the story's needs yet brilliantly
powerful in taking us on this turbo charged ride. Julian Cound, as the
ships
designer & builder Thomas Andrews, ran the whole gamut of emotion
from pride through protective parent-ship and finally personal grief as his
'baby' floundered and he realised how simple a solution to this could have
been. Lee Morris played the first class steward Henry Etches with a
perfect blend of humble servitude and knowing discretion - in part he reminds
of the character Radar from M*A*S*H - always there, never demanding
but the grease that keeps everything running smoothly. I could go on
and list each and every cast member - they were all wonderful and can feel
rightly proud that they delivered an historic show. Likewise, Michael
Trotter as musical director, and his orchestra deserve all their plaudits for
providing a sensational aural backdrop.
Darlington Civic doesn't have the largest of stages but with
the ingenious sets and masterful stage direction it was all too easy to think
we were watching a production at the Palladium or the Royal Albert Hall - at
times there were in excess of 30 people moving, dancing, interacting yet not
once did it seemed cramped - not, that is, until we reached the climatic end
when the feeling of claustrophobia and panic was palpable and not
just on the stage.
For anyone wondering how the dreadful story of the Titanic can
be portrayed effectively on stage, and as a musical, they need not fret
- it is, after all, a story about love, greed, dreams
and tragedy. The show has a number of anthemic songs
which, in the hands and voices of this fabulous cast rivalled even Les Mis
for pulse racing, tear jerking emotion. The song "We'll meet
tomorrow", performed as the realisation that those left on board would
surely drown, prompted many frantic searchings for tissues and stifled sobs.
In the centenary year of Titanic, and with the huge interest
across the world in revisting the events of April 1912, I would urge everyone,
young & old, to go and see this show - it will not only educate you as to
how things happened, it will transport you on deck and give you the
sense and feeling of what it was like. Just be prepared to be moved.
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