Plymouth Theatre Review

Easy to Follow:  4

Family Friendly: 5

Must see: 4

Title: Titanic the Musical

Venue: Devonport Playhouse

Date: 22nd May 2024

Welcome aboard the tragedy and grandeur of the RMS Titanic and watch history unfold through the power of song and storytelling as PGS Theatre Productions present their latest offering with ‘Titanic The Musical.’ Transporting you to a time of opulence and ambition, where dreams and destiny collide with the vast expanse of the ocean, PGS explores the lives of those on board this legendary vessel in a compelling rendition that will no doubt leave audiences deeply moved and thoroughly impressed. 

The performance started before the musical itself, with actors moving amongst the audience as they entered the playhouse. Ushers urged guest to “watch out for the ghosts” as they got their pre-show drinks from the bar and the ghosts could be seen wandering the walkways, immersing the audience into the production before the show had even started! 

The group numbers were many and varied, ranging from lighthearted fun to pure tragedy. The cast worked well together with some palpable chemistry on stage and it was clear they had great camaraderie with each other. The commitment to storytelling shone through with several characters grounding the performance and ensuring the story was not lost among the big  musical numbers. The Bell Boy (played by Rhys Turner) introduced the show and kept popping up at regular intervals to ensure the audience knew when and where the action was taking place, which helped to tie the music and vocal performances with the dramatic and fast moving storyline. The group ensemble numbers were presented in a cohesive and imaginative way, with great use the different levels offered by the staging. It was particularly interesting to have the cast members entering and exiting through the doors situated on the audience level of the theatre, as this enabled the audience to feel they were part of the action and become more immersed in the show. The harmonies and synchronised movement of the group as a whole were particularly outstanding, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail in both vocality and physicality. This cast’s commitment to excellence was evident from the outset with each member breathing life into their roles with authenticity and precision. Their emotional connection to the characters and songs was palpable, creating moments on the stage that felt very real and poignant. However, it is worth noting that the sound quality was sometimes lacking, making it difficult to hear certain songs and lyrics clearly. While the music was beautifully played and the singing was undoubtedly on point, the words were sometimes lost which did distract from the story slightly and made the first half somewhat challenging to watch in places. I will note that I didn’t notice this as much in the second half, where the pace of the plot seemed to thicken and gain traction, I found the second half easier to follow and the sound quality improved.

In addition to this, I would have like to have seen a little more punch to the scene that introduced the three Kate’s to fully capture the vibrancy and spirit of their characters, which grew as the show went on. That being said, there were several songs that stood out for their exceptional harmonies and potent emotional delivery such as The Launching; Godspeed Titanic, ‘We’ll Meet Tomorrow’ and the powerful finale ‘In Every Age/ Godspeed Titanic’ all of which showcased the vastly talented cast’s vocal expertise in a remarkable display of pure musical brilliance.

The principle cast was extraordinarily strong with some colossal performances from Brian McCann as Thomas Andrews, Nico Bray as Third Officer Pittman and Jade Stevens-Astell as Kate McGowan, each bringing a compelling presence and exceptional vocals to the stage. Jade delivered an unparalleled portrayal of Kate, capturing her essence (and accent) perfectly with determination and impeccable commitment to character that shone throughout. She demonstrated a dynamic vocal range with beautiful clarity to her voice all while maintaining the Irish accent of her character with seeming ease. Equally impressive were Nico and Brian, whose vocal performances were a highlight of the show. Their vocal prowess elevated the production giving a richness and depth to their performances that captivated the audience and interjected the show with a dynamic energy that resonated throughout the rest of the cast. Nico’s voice was a force of nature, commanding the audiences attention and imbuing his character with an emotional depth that made investment into his characters journey all that more poignant. Brian also demonstrated enviable vocal skills that left the audience hanging on his every word, leaving everyone thoroughly amazed by his emotive performance that demonstrated sheer musical mastery. Special mentions to Mark Sidey with his portrayal of Mr Ismay, Sam Wilson as (stoker) Frederick Barrett, Tim Horton as Harold Bride (Radioman), Ciaran Collins as Wallace Hartley, Gill Regan as Ida Straus and Helen Haviland as Alice Beane, who all shone with deep commitment to character, delivering passionate performances that will surely stick in the minds of the audience for a long time to come. Helen Haviland’s portrayal was particularly noteworthy, she stunned as Alice Beane, captivating the audience with her vastly impressive vocal talent and vibrant presence on the stage. Her portrayal brightened up the stage with a charming energy and excitement that was as delightful to watch as it is memorable. 

The lighting and set (designed by Andy Martin) was well executed, creating an immersive and captivating atmosphere. The underwater effect on the ceiling was a standout feature adding further nuance and poignancy to an already sad scene. The set design allowed for great use of the small playing space, creating a rich environment for the actors to interact with. I especially liked the set interaction during the sinking, which gave the scene added depth and demonstrated this companies deep commitment to attention to detail. The inclusion of a memoriam to the victims of Titanic after the sinking scene was also a nice touch that added additional nuance to the scene.

PGS Productions rendition of ‘Titanic The Musical’ delivers a stunning and poignant theatrical journey through time and emotion. From the beautiful lighting and underwater effects, to the eerie presence of ghosts amongst the audience, every element of this show works in harmony to transport the viewer into the heart of the story and to the heart of the Titanic. Together this company has successfully created a magical blend of storytelling, music and compelling stagecraft that will leave audiences deeply moved and blown away at this display of pure talent. 

Titanic sets sail into the hearts of the audience, taking them on a musical voyage they wont forget in a hurry! Congratulations to PGS Productions on yet another successful production, you have certainly raised the bar high! 

Review by Ami Philpott

*Gifted / This theatre review was written following a gifted ticket to the performance. However, all opinions and views expressed in this review are entirely that of the reviewer and the review has not been influenced in any way by the provision of the ticket. Our commitment remains to provide an honest and unbiased assessment of the experience.