Winning five Tony Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1997, “Titanic the Musical” remains a timeless, unforgettable modern opera performed with incredible theatrical style. The cast of Titanic the Musical at the Liverpool Empire in 2023 on opening night were all superb and I couldn’t fault a single performance.

What is Titanic the Musical about?

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.

All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them, the Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America, the Second Class imagine they too can join the lifestyles of the rich and famous, whilst the millionaire Barons of the First Class anticipate legacies lasting forever. 

Is Titanic the Musical like the film?

Rather than telling the story through a fictional romance, like the movie, the musical follows several passengers and crewmates from the ship’s boarding at Belfast and on the journey towards New York.

Initially my 12 year old was disappointed to realise that Jack and Rose wouldn’t be in this show but quickly moved on and loved Titanic the Musical as much as me, even without the iconic song My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion which is not heard or sung anywhere in Titanic the Musical.

What did we love about Titanic the Musical

From the opening numbers, we loved learning the facts and figures of this “floating city, sleek and fast, the largest moving object in the world.”  How long it was, how much material it was made of, how many of everything was on board. It was a fantastic opening to the show.

The show is split into two halves with the first half introducing the characters. You invest in their stories, but all with the anxiety that you probably know their fate.

As the iceberg hits the Titanic, the stage goes dark and the curtain comes up for the interval.

The set design and the music is integral to the second half and the whole theatre is used cleverly to demonstrate the panic and the moments of calm resignation.

The sight of a female passenger of the Titanic with her baby, singing while standing between the aisles was so touching and so moving for all around.

Mr and Mrs Strauss, (wealthy owners of Macy’s, NYC), who cannot bear to be separated and relax in the Grand Salon to sip a final glass of Crystal champagne, recalling their long happy marriage in a beautifully eloquent ballad, “Still” . 

There was a moment near the end of the show – when a ship crew member commits suicide by shooting himself – this was shocking and even though expected caused shocked silence throughout the audience.

But the movement of the ships deck, pulled up to the sky, to symbolise the sinking was a stand out moment for both of us. So cleverly done, so simple, but so effective.

How long does Titanic musical go for?

Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including an interval.

Final thoughts on Titanic the Musical

A wonderful moving show, with a story told almost completely through song. A show loved equally by myself and my twelve year old, and we chatted about Titanic tales and facts all the way home.

A night to remember.

Venue: Liverpool Empire

Company: Daniel Tarento in association with Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and Harmonia

Production: Maury Yeston (music & lyrics), Peter Stone (book), Thom Southerland (director), David Woodhead (set & costume design), Howard Hudson (lighting), Andrew Johnson (sound design), Ben Popworth (musical director).

Performers: Martin Allanson (J. Bruce Ismay), Graham Bickley (Captain Edward Smith), Ian McLarnan (Thomas Andrews), Barnaby Hughes (Henry Etches), Valda Avicks (Ida Strauss), David Delve (Isidor Strauss), Emily George (Kate Murphy), Niamh Long (Kate Mullins), Lucie May Sumner (Kate McGowan), Sam Brown (Frederick Fleet), Jack North (Charles Lightoller), Billy Roberts (William Murdoch), Bree Smith (Alice Beane), James Barch (Edgar Beane), Adam Filipe (Fred Barrett), Emma Harrold (Lady Caroline), Matthew McDonald (Charles Clarke); other characters played by the ensemble cast. The Band: Ben Popworth, Thomas Leate, Bridget Mansfield, Gemma Conner, Jack Cherry, Craig Apps.

Running time: 150mins