‘If you touch me like this, and if I kiss you like that. It was gone with the wind, but it’s all coming back to me now.’
During my week-long stay in Sydney, I searched for a theatrical experience to enjoy. That’s when I stumbled upon Titanique—a reimagining of the Titanic film with a Céline Dion twist. While I wouldn’t call myself a Dion superfan, I have repeatedly watched Jeremy Jordan’s rendition of her hit song It’s All Coming Back to Me Now on YouTube. That performance alone convinced me to set sail on the Titanique.
The Grand Electric—formerly the Performance Space—promised a night out in Sydney packed with hilarious one-liners and featuring over seventeen of Dion’s greatest hits. It sounded like the kind of pop music affair I was craving. So, I booked a seat in the stern—the budget-friendly section at the back of the venue—eager to embark on this one-of-a-kind cruise and mischievous adventure.
The storyline of Titanique is absurd: Céline Dion goes to the Titanic Museum to ‘correct’ the historical record of Titanic, transforming the tragic romance into a musical spoof set to her greatest hits. Jack and Rose still fall hopelessly in love, but their romance is infused with pop culture references, larger-than-life performances, and bad wigs. The preshow music alone had me ready to twerk up a storm. The only thing that held me back was the Chardonnay in my hand, as I didn’t want to drop my glass, as many did during the performance.
Once the lights dimmed and the show began, it was clear that Titanique would be as wild and unpredictable as Céline Dion herself. The show twists the plot of the Titanic, featuring outrageous antics like Tina Turner (played by Abu) portraying the ‘iceberg’ that hits the ship. As the ship sinks, Tina belts out Ragdoll, a number that was a real crowd-pleaser on the night. Another standout moment was the power ballad Tell Him, originally recorded by Céline Dion and Barbra Streisand.
Georgina Hopson, the narrator, brilliantly captures Celine’s mannerisms and delivers a stellar performance of her songs. Drew Weston, as Jack, is effortlessly charming and undeniably handsome in his skin-tight jeans. Jenni Little, playing Rose and bearing more than a passing resemblance to Celine, hits impressive high notes while convincingly portraying youthful naivety. Steven Anderson, who plays Rose’s mother, Ruth, brings a dry wit and campy energy, delivering a well-timed C-bomb with finesse, much to the audience’s delight. Meanwhile, the unsinkable Molly Brown (portrayed by Kathy Bates in the film) is reimagined as an unapologetic lesbian, a role sung impeccably by Abigail Dixon.
From the ensemble and set design to the stage lighting, four-piece band, and crystal-clear sound…every production element is top-notch. A particularly amusing touch includes a cardboard cutout cameo from Broadway legend Patti LuPone, famous for her lead roles in Evita and Sunset Boulevard, and her well-documented fondness for dropping the F-bomb in interviews. That said, I have a few criticisms: the songs sometimes feel truncated, the jokes occasionally verge on obtuse, and the direction could benefit from moments of stillness amidst its frenetic pace. But these are minor quibbles.
Running until June 22nd, Titanique wholeheartedly embraces its over-the-top premise, blending iconic Celine Dion ballads with infectious energy for an undeniably fun night at the theatre. Even if you’re not a Titanic or Celine Dion fan, grab a glass of chardonnay from the bar and set sail with the crew of Titanique—it may be a ship of fools, but it’s one you’ll thoroughly enjoy sailing away with.
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