Titanic Plots A Course for Southampton!
Here in the Cheap Seats we never used to be big fans of Titanic, but when we saw Danielle Tarento and Thom Southerland‘s sublime production last year our minds were totally changed (you can read our rave review here). Now we’re thrilled that this glorious production is coming back and will set sail from it’s spiritual home in Southampton! Read on for the full lowdown.
In the final hour of 14th April 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic and infamous disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.
Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Maury Yeston and Peter Stone‘s stunning musical focuses on their hopes and aspirations. Unaware of the fate that awaits them, the Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America, the newly-enfranchised Second Class dream of achieving the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the millionaire Barons of the First Class dream of their mastery lasting forever.
Opening at Mayflower Theatre in April 2018, in the same city and same month in which the RMS Titanic set sail, the critically acclaimed, multi award-winning production will then visit theatres nationwide.
Having received its UK premiere in 2013 at the Southwark Playhouse, the production returned to London in 2016 for a 10-week season at the Charing Cross Theatre, where it won overwhelming critical acclaim.
Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said, “It is a real coup for Southampton that we are able to launch the very first UK tour from Mayflower Theatre, and I am thrilled that we are associate producers on Thom Southerland’s stunning production. On the actual 106th Anniversary of the sinking on Sat 14 April we will be holding a special evening performance and we are excited about working in partnership with Sea City Museum to run a series of community events and education workshops. Our City was devastated by the impact of this tragic historical event and we are proud to help commemorate the lives of so many Southampton residents with this amazing theatrical experience.”
Maury Yeston commented on the announcement of the UK tour: “The idea that a troupe of actors will tour this show in the UK, birthplace of the ship, where the workers of Belfast, the cabin boys and maids and stewards from Liverpool, the officers and crew, the stokers and stevedores from the Midlands all created a miraculous floating city, means more to me than I can say. I am touched that, musically, Titanic will finally be coming home, sung by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of its builders – touched, and forever grateful.”
Titanic The Musical has music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel, Phantom of Opera) and a book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year and 1776). The pair have collectively won, including their previous works, an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony Awards for their works. The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
Titanic The Musical is produced by Danielle Tarento, Steven M Levy, Sean Sweeney and Vaughan Williams, in association with Mayflower Theatre and is directed by Thom Southerland.
Tickets for Titanic the Musical (Thursday 12 – Saturday 21 April 2018) go on general sale from Friday 28 April 2017. tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833.
