Review: Titanic The Movie The Play
Feeling as if now more than ever you need a distraction and an excuse to laugh? At a loss as to where to go out with friends and family, as a first date ‘ice-breaker’, or even on your own? Book tickets while you can for Titanic: The Movie, The Play; a fabulous, funny, fearless homage to the original film that is heavy on the laughter and light on the romance.
Titanic is a tale of love, loss, and icebergs. The show takes the audience on a salvage trip back to the site of the wreck of the unsinkable ship, where ‘Old Rose’ reflects on the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic. In the hands of co-directors and writers Gregory Rowbotham and Nathalie Bochenski (with fellow writer Dan Beeston), the play is shorter, much funnier, and very slightly lower in budget and cast than the 1997 film.
Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the film, or have heard that it’s a romance and you don’t ‘do’ romances. Titanic: The Movie, The Play is not quite as romantic as the film, and the only tears are likely to be of laughter. Of course, if you are a fan of the film, then you really have to go to this show: play ‘count the film references,’ and make sure you stay on afterwards to get your photo taken on the prow of the ‘Titanic’.
Confession time… I have seen this show before; in May 2019, the play was at the Queensland Maritime Museum. I loved it then, and I am absolutely delighted to recommend it now. Titanic: The Movie, The Play is a show to see more than once. I am not alone in being so enthusiastic. The sold-out performance last night received warm applause and, as I left, I overheard another group agreeing that they would each ‘definitely pay another $40 to see that one again.’
Picture: Natalie Bochenski’s Old Rose (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture (L to R): Daren King (Jack Dawson) and Tom Dunstan (Super Mario). Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Act/React have a great cast for this production, and it is highly possible that, on a different evening, the cast might switch around some of the roles. On Saturday, Natalie Bochenski played a fabulous ‘Old Rose’, and hardly seemed to be off-stage, when also portraying vast array of supporting characters and working as a dolphin stagehand. The always entertaining Damien Campagnolo also appeared to be everywhere, including as the worryingly-honest Ship’s Architect. Daren King reprised his entertaining portrayal of the all-round good chap and heartthrob (Jack Dawson), complete with trying on a range of outfits supplied by the feisty Molly Brown (beautifully played by Johanna Lyon). Scott Driscoll’s Captain was suitably flaky, modelling a fabulous beard and even wearing the wheel as he ‘controlled’ the ship (set & prop design by Scott Driscoll and Daren King, and costume design by Amy Driscoll—who I also think I spotted as a Lookout and other roles). Christopher Batkin’s villainous Billy Zane was at his funniest during the fight with Dawson. And I lost count of the number of roles played by Ellen Hardisty, which included being a dolphin-controller (I think) and memorable Conductor and Lead Recorder of the ship’s orchestra.
Best moments of the evening had to include that drawing, the iceberg attack, the call to the lifeboats, the sanitiser/distancing references, the Old Rose and supporting Roses (fabulous audience participation), and Tom Dunstan’s Super Mario (who knew they had computer games on the Titanic?). … and being able to see a show in the Brisbane Powerhouse Forecourt. It is a pity the Forecourt isn’t used for more productions. Act/React used the space really well and, in these COVID-safe times, being able to see a show outside is a great option.
Titanic: The Play, the Movie runs until 12th September. Get a ticket while you can. And, to the person who said they’d like to go again. I definitely recommend seeing this show more than once. I really enjoyed the 2019 version, and this is even funnier. Every evening will be slightly different, but the laughter is guaranteed.
Verdict: If you only go to one show this year, Make sure it’s Titanic: The Movie, the Play. A fun evening out (just what the Doctor would have ordered). Don’t die wondering if you’d make a great Rose. Get a group together, take the family, or go on your own. But buy a ticket while you can.
Picture: Optional participation opportunities include post-show poses on the prow (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Audience Information: I found it to be warmer than many air-conditioned theatres, but you may want to wear comfortable shoes and decide to dress warmly as you are outside at the Powerhouse Plaza for the 70-minute show. 15+ with very occasional coarse language and sexual references. The Brisbane Powerhouse has recently introduced paid parking, so you may wish to allow time to find somewhere to park—or travel by public transport.
Tickets for Titanic: The Movie, The Play are available at the Brisbane Powerhouse website ($39 standard, and $35 concession—plus all ticket purchases are subject to a $6.90 transaction fee). The Show opened at the Powerhouse on 19 August, and this run ends on 12 September (shows are Thursday-Saturday [ 7.15pm or 9pm] and Sunday [5:15pm & 7pm]).
Pictures Credit: Creative Futures Photography.