Everything you need to know about 'Titanique' in the West End

The hilarious Off-Broadway hit sets sail to the Criterion Theatre in December, with a cast that includes Lauren Drew, Rob Houchen, Jordan Luke Gage, and Layton Williams.

Julia Rank15 November, 2024, 12:00

A humorous take on a terrible tragedy? Anything goes in the world of musical comedy! In this interpretation of the Titanic disaster that pays homage to the 1997 James Cameron movie, the show is led by a fictionalised version of diva extraordinaire Céline Dion and fuelled her back catalogue. The ship is given an ‘ique’ suffix in the show to reflect Dion’s French-Canadian heritage.

The show has been a huge hit in New York, playing to packed houses Off Broadway since 2022. New York Theatre Guide’s reviewer was charmed by its madcap approach: “Titanique is one of those shows where anything can happen… The cast and creators' enthusiasm is infectious, and, you'll have a boatload of fun.” All aboard!

Book Titanique tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

What is Titanique about?

Titanique is a comedy jukebox musical based on James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster Titanic (one of the highest grossing films of all time and the winner of 11 Academy Awards), and featuring the songs of Céline Dion. The film itself is based on a real-life tragedy, in which an estimated 1,500 people died on 15 April 1912 when the “unsinkable” ship hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

Cameron’s iconic film focuses on the fictional romance between the upper-class but impoverished Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and penniless artist Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). Despite the class difference, the two fall passionately in love against the spectacular setting and even more dramatic tragedy. The central romantic storyline is still present but with numerous comic twists – for one thing, Céline Dion, who sang the film’s unforgettable anthem “My Heart Will Go On”, is on hand to tell us what really happened!

Who wrote Titanique?

Titanique features the back catalogue of Céline Dion (various composers and lyricists) and a book by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, and Constantine Rousouli. Blue is a theatre, music, events, and television producer, whose credits include four series of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Mindelle is an actress, writer, and composer who has starred on Broadway in Sister Act and Cinderella. She created the role of Céline Dion in Titanique and is currently co-composer, writer, and star of Off Broadway’s The Big Gay Jamboree, playing a woman who wakes up in a 1940s musical following a night of heavy drinking. Rousouli, who created the role of Jack Dawson, co-stars in The Big Gay Jamboree.

Has Titanique been performed before?

Titanique was first performed as a one-off at Los Angeles’ Sorting Room Theater in December 2017. Two mini runs then took place in New York in 2018. The fully staged Off-Broadway production opened at the Off-Broadway venue The Asylum Theatre June 2022, and transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre in November 2022, where it continues to play. The London production marks the show’s European premiere.

What awards has Titanique won?

Titanique won three Lucille Lortel Awards (recognising excellence in Off-Broadway productions), including Best Musical. It also won the Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical.

Where is Titanique playing?

Titanique is playing at the 590-seat Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus. One of the West End’s prettiest theatres and one of the few to be independently owned, recent productions include pastiche musical I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical and platonic rom-com musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

When is Titanique playing?

The first preview of Titanique takes place on 9 December, 2024 and the show is currently booking until 2 March, 2025.

What days is Titanique playing?

Titanique is playing Tuesdays to Sundays at 7:30pm, with matinees on Saturdays at 3pm.

How long is Titanique?

The running time of Titanique is 1 hour 40 minutes, with no interval.

Who are the characters in Titanique?

Titanique features the following cast of characters:

Céline Dion: The narrator, a fictionalised version of the pop diva who takes us on the tragic ocean liner's fateful journey, accompanied by her greatest hits. Jack Dawson: The hero, a nomadic artist who wins two steerage tickets on the Titanic in a poker game. Rose DeWitt Bukater: The heroine, who is being forced to marry for money. Victor Garber: The beloved Broadway, television, and film actor, who played Titanic architect Thomas Andrews in the film. Molly Brown: Self-made socialite and philanthropist (“The Unsinkable Molly Brown”). Ruth DeWitt Bukater: Rose’s pushy and status-conscious mother. Cal Hockley: The villain and Rose’s fiancé. The Iceberg: The ship’s nemesis in human form.

Who are the actors in Titanique?

Captain of the Titanique cast is Lauren Drew as Céline Dion. Drew has previously played Catherine of Aragon in SIX (UK Tour), Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – WhatsOnStage Award nomination), and Fantine in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre).

Rob Houchen (South Pacific, Les Misérables) plays Jack, opposite Kat Ronney (Hex, Hamlet) as Rose. Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie & Clyde, & Juliet), Charlotte Wakefield (The Great British Bake Off The Musical, Spring Awakening), Darren Bennett (Singin’ in the Rain, Grease), and Stephen Guarino (Titanique LA) co-star as Victor Garber, Molly Brown, Ruth, and Cal respectively. Layton Williams (Cabaret, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) rounds out the principals as The Iceberg.

The cast also includes Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Adrianne Langley (Sixties Girls), Madison Swan (The Book of Mormon), Rodney Vubya (The Book of Mormon), and Kristina Walz (Titanique New York).

Who is in the Titanique creative team?

Chief navigator (director) is co-writer Ty Blue. The show is choregraphed by Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Mr Saturday Night) and features costume design by Alejo Vietti (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and lighting design by Paige Seber.

What songs are in Titanique?

Titanique features the following Celine Dion hits:

Overture – Company
"I'm Alive" – Celine Dion and Company
"Taking Chances" – Company
"Taking Chances (reprise)" – Rose
"Seduces Me" – Cal
"If You Asked Me To" – Rose, Celine, and Jack
"Beauty and the Beast" – Celine, Seaman, and Company
"I'm Alive (reprise)" – Molly Brown
"You and I" – Jack and Company
"Tell Him" – Molly Brown, Rose, and Celine
"To Love You More" – Jack, Rose, and Company
"Who Let the Dogs Out" – Celine
"I Drove All Night" – Victor Garber
"Because You Loved Me" – Celine, Rose, and Jack
"Where Does My Heart Beat Now" – Jack, Cal, Rose, and Company
"I Drove All Night (reprise)" – Victor Garber and Seaman
"River Deep, Mountain High" – Iceberg and Company
"I Surrender" / "Seduces Me (reprise)" – Rose and Cal
"I Surrender (reprise)" – Victor Garber, Celine, and Company
"All By Myself" – Molly Brown
"The Prayer" – Rose and Company
"All by Myself (reprise)" – Molly Brown
"My Heart Will Go On" – Celine and Company
"A New Day Has Come" – Company
"My Heart Will Go On (reprise)" – Company

What are some fun facts about Titanique?

The show has attracted a sizable base of fans who have seen the show multiple times and call themselves “TiStaniques”.
The show is filled with pop culture references. These include the musicals Chicago, Newsies, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood and TV shows RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Victor Garber is among the movie alumni to have seen the show. Céline Dion hasn’t yet visited but her manager and publicist have attended.