Titanique – a shipload of laughs and a boat full of talent in this Celine Dion fever dream
The off-Broadway smash hit musical Titanique (now safely docked on Broadway) sailed across the Atlantic to London’s West End in December 2024, opening at the Criterion Theatre.
You may think you already know the story of Titanic: the tragic 1912 sinking of the so-called “unsinkable” ship on its maiden voyage from England to America. With too few lifeboats (they apparently spoiled the view) and a deadly iceberg in its path, more than 1,500 passengers lost their lives in the freezing waters.
The 1997 blockbuster film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet immortalised the story, along with that unforgettable song performed by Céline Dion.
But Titanique throws that history book overboard and asks, “What if Céline Dion herself were there?”
Taking chances on history and making it glitteringly gay
The show opens in the Titanic Museum, where a cloaked figure interrupts a guided tour to reveal that she knows the real story because she was there. That figure, naturally, is Céline Dion. What follows is a riotously camp, two-hour musical fever dream, powered by Dion’s own greatest hits and infinite self-confidence.
We meet the familiar faces: Rose DeWitt Bukater, her controlling fiancé Cal and her social-climbing mother Ruth, all sailing to New York in pursuit of status and riches. Enter Jack, the penniless artist who wins a ticket in a last-minute poker game and sweeps Rose off her feet. When the iceberg strikes, chaos and comedy ensue.
A super-swing Saturday
Understudies are the unsung heroes of theatre and Titanique proved that in spades at the Saturday performance I attended. With more than half the cast covering alternate roles, the energy on stage was electric.
Freddie King stepped in as Jack (for Luke Bayer), Damien Winchester made his debut as Cal (for Richard Carson), Madison Swan covered Molly Brown (for Charlotte Wakefield), and Corrine Priest played Rose (for Rose Galbraith). Caitlin Tipping and David Ouch also filled in brilliantly as background vocalists.
Ryan Carter’s Iceberg deserves a standing ovation – ten out of ten on the RuPaul scale and Michael Vinsen’s Victor Garber smoulders. Carl Mullaney’s turn as Ruth is one of the funniest performances I’ve seen in ages, packed with sharp improvisation and perfectly timed sass.
A special shoutout goes to Damien Winchester, who made his debut as Cal with a dazzlingly camp confidence that transformed the character. Hard to believe it was his first outing in the role (though he previously played the Iceberg in the 2025 Paris production).
Freddie King’s Jack was charming, goofy and just the right mix of heart and humour, whilst also showing off his best assets and Madison Swan wowed the crowd with powerhouse vocals that even silenced a nearby hen party for a few blissful minutes.
Astrid Harris’s heart goes on
Astrid Harris previously played Céline Dion in the 2025 Titanique production at Lido2 Paris before joining the London company as the role’s understudy. Now leading the West End cast, it’s clear why she was nominated for the 2025 West End Wilma Rising Star Award.
Her performance bursts with energy, razor-sharp comedic timing, and effortless vocals. She looks like she’s having the time of her life on that stage and that joy radiates across the whole cast.
Should Titanique stay or sashay away?
One hundred percent: Titanique should stay.
It’s gloriously silly, packed with laughs, glitter, and Céline Dion hits (though not all the big ones make the cut). The improvised scene between Jack and Rose is funny, if a bit random and feels like it’s there mainly to pad the running time but it’s forgivable in a show that’s this much fun.
The Criterion Theatre may test your patience with its pillar-obstructed views but that hardly matters once the show starts. The addition of an interval was a smart choice too as the original non-stop version definitely felt too long.
All in all, Titanique is a joyously camp spectacle that celebrates theatre’s unpredictability and the sheer magic of live performance.
Congratulations to the entire cast (especially the hardworking understudies) for keeping this ship not just afloat, but absolutely fabulous.
★★★★
West End Wilma
