Titanic The Musical, Park Community School Theatre, Havant

[Andrew Clarkson]

Since 1933, Denmead Operatic Society has been performing all manner of productions. From the serious stuff to slapstick: Gilbert & Sullivan to panto and ’Allo ’Allo. Never before, though, has it tried anything so expensive, so expansive, so ambitious.

The cast of 45 tell the story of the ill-fated launch of the Titanic, its first – and last – journey, 100 years after its sinking.

This is no Kate Winslet whimsy. This is the warts-and-all story of class distinction, and of one man’s ambition of owning the fastest, most luxurious liner the world had ever seen.

The increasingly-strained relationship between Captain EJ Smith (Will Donnelly), ship owner Joseph Ismay (Kerry Applin) and designer Thomas Andrews (Ian Clark) is the dominant factor, and all three actors rise superbly to the challenge.

For Clark, who also directs, the production is a major triumph.

Read more; http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/lifestyle/t ... -1-3923997

[VW1956]

Hello. I had to take my daughter (Zoe) and her family to Portsmouth so they could then get a ferry to the Isle of Wight for a holiday. So I thought I would stop off on the way home in the hope of seeing any of the actors or set for this performance of Titanic the Musical. When I got there I was given a programme and told that a performance had just begun. On telling the person on the door that I was very interested in Titanic he very kindly led me upstairs to a seat where I was able to watch the show. I have posted on here in the past that a few years ago I was offered two tickets for Titanic the Musical. I turned them down as I could not see how a musical could be written about Titanic. But from what I saw today it was a great show. Of course it depends on how good the performers are, This musical was performed by the Denmead Operatic Society and they were really good. The show had 45 performers in all and when they were all on stage singing, microphones were not needed. Just before Titanic hit the iceberg they had on the bridge Captain Smith, Lightoller and Murdoch. Murdoch was at the wheel then Lightoller took over. I asked during the interval why they had the officers at the helm and not an actor playing Robert Hichens. I was surprised to read in the programme when I got home that they did have an actor playing Robert Hichens. Maybe I will go to one of these performances in the future. Ken.