Titanique
The musical has more than its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments but struggles to strike a balance between irreverent comedy and respectful tribute
The musical reinterpretation of James Cameron’s cinematic epic, from the minds of Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, and Constantine Rousouli, turns up the Celine Dion factor to the max. They’ve not only woven in a plethora of her songs but incorporated the Canadian superstar herself into the narrative. Celine now assumes the role of a narrator who joins and guides us through the unfolding drama and hysteria of Titanique.
The whimsical and musically driven retelling blends humour with heartfelt homage to deliver an unexpectedly charming and laugh-out-loud experience. Transforming the well-worn tale into a wacky musical format injects fresh energy, making it a standout among traditional retellings of Titanic.
Most of Dion’s hits are cleverly integrated and performed with incredible prowess. Titanique’s cast changes frequently – I’ve already seen two entirely different casts – but they appear to have mastered the art of securing Broadway-caliber no matter who. Their talent is on full display, particularly through their vocal performances, with countless powerful solos and harmonious duets.
The reinvention of Rose’s fiancé, Cal, and mother, Ruth, are two of the funniest characters, with both enjoying their respective moments that truly bring the house down. Though Celine’s voice in this play differs from Dion’s, there’s an uncanny perfection to the mannerisms and ad-libs, which fans of the mega-star will find side-clutchingly funny.
Theatricality, the reinterpretation of the film through song and dance, is a creative, unique and, at times, air-gaspingly laugh-out-loud take on the timeless tale. That said, Titanique often struggles to strike the balance between irreverent comedy and respectful tribute. On more than one occasion, it veered into tricky territory and, frankly, outright disrespect. One scene has the real-life ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’ insert an aubergine (or eggplant for my US readers) up her skirt.
In the two times I’ve seen the play, with a six-month gap between viewings, the production has dramatically dialled up the innuendo and gags, perhaps in response to audience demand. I found it less funny the second time around. Nonetheless, with its catchy tunes and imaginative storytelling, Titanique manages to navigate a completely whacky story with humour, talent and nostalgia.
In a show where anything can happen – and often does – I guess it makes sense that despite my gripes, I’m still planning to see it a third time. The cast and creators’ enthusiasm is beyond infectious, and if you simply let it wash over you, it’s impossible not to have a good night out.
★★★★☆