The Cast of "Titanique".
Written by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, Tye Blue.
Produced by Michael Cassel and Eva Price.
Directed by Tye Blue – Choreographed by Ellenore Scott
Australian production directed and choreographed by Cameron
Mitchell
Musical Direction by Hayden Barltrop – Costume design by
Alejo Vietti
Sound Design Lawrence Schober, adapted by David Tonion
Lighting Design by Paige Seber adapted by Kathy Pineo.
The Grand Electric, Sydney until March 30th 2025.
Matinee performance on February 1st 2025 reviewed
by BILL STEPHENS
Drew Weston (Jack) and the cast of "Titanique".
The inventors of the jukebox musical – a stage or film musical
that uses popular songs instead of original music – have much to answer for.
The writers of “Titanique”, have played fast and loose with facts
for this cleverly conceived concoction which purports to tell the probably
untrue story of what really happened on the Titanic prior to its bingle with an
iceberg.
The story is narrated by Celine Dion (Marney McQueen) who
may or may not have been on the Titanic that night, assisted by a cast of
characters, who, according to the film, definitely were, and some ring-ins like
Tina Turner and Kathy Bates who definitely weren’t.
The result is a gloriously funny, superbly mounted and
brilliantly performed example of high camp silliness guaranteed to uplift the
spirits of even the most jaded individual attempting to reconnect with the real
world while leaving the theatre with the song My Heart Will Go On still ringing
in their ears.
There are plenty more of Dion’s songs threaded through this show,
performed by an accomplished cast of eleven singers and actors who achieve
polished harmonies and showstopping solos and duets, while revelling in the surfeit
of witty double entendres that punctuate the clever script, and supported by a
switched on four-piece band, Hayden Barltrop, Sam Loomes, Debbi Yap and Alysa
Portelli who sometimes find themselves involved in the action.
In the well-worn tradition of jukebox musicals, “Titanique” doesn’t
confine itself to the repertoire of Celine Dion. A couple of surprises including
Who Let the Dogs Out? and another particularly popular Aussie anthem, which
must remain nameless because, as Dion confided, the producers don’t have the rights
to it yet, find their way into the chaos.
Sydney is the first city outside New York to experience this
delightful piece of nonsense which has been running in New York since 2022 with
new productions scheduled to open soon in Toronto, Montreal and London.
The Michael Cassel Group were quick to recognise the potential
of the show and have certainly done their Australian production proud. The
witty script is supported by excellent production values and a topflight cast
directed and choreographed by Cameron Mitchell.
 |
| Marney McQueen and the cast of "Titanique". |
Marney McQueen anchors the show, obviously relishing her role as Celine Dion. Georgina Hopson plays Rose, Drew Weston is Jack, and Matt Lee is Victor Garber.
Stephen Anderson is outrageous as Rose’s mother Ruth, (Yes!
That’s right) chewing up the scenery at every opportunity, while Abigail Dixon
gives him a run for his money as Molly Brown. Keane Sheppard-Fletcher oozes
suave entitlement as Cal, Jack’s creepy rival for the affections of Rose.
Jo-Anne Jackson, Jenni Little and Trent Owers are kept busy
providing sweet harmonies as well as impersonating the Titanic’s passengers, miscellaneous
necessary others, and icebergs.
Talking of icebergs, another of those is artful scene stealer,
Abu, who not only services the passengers as The Seaman, but also contributes a
show-stopping turn as Tina Turner.
At the matinee reviewed here, covers Artemis Alfonzetti and Matthew
Predny played the young lovers, Rose and Jack, while Tyran Stig played Victor
Garber. All were so good as to provide an excellent excuse to revisit the show.
In fact, several surrounding audience members were already
on their second or third visit, obviously keen to share their experience with
besties. No doubt the discovery of The Grand Electric Theatre, a cute heritage
venue tucked away up a narrow lane in Cleveland Street, Sydney, may also have
been a compelling attractor.
“Titanique” is a superior well-produced party show that doesn’t
depend on audience participation for its success but of course embraces it with
gusto. It is fast becoming a word-of-mouth sensation in Sydney, so it might be
quite a while before you get the opportunity to see it elsewhere.
Photos by Daniel Boud
