Titanic: Anatomy of a disaster

With Titanic crashing at the box office in 2006 and the Brisbane and Melbourne seasons cancelled, AussieTheatre.com looks back at the events and dates that shaped the critically acclaimed Australian production of the Tony Award-winning musical...

April 7: AussieTheatre.com reveals that plans are underway to produce Titanic in Australia. The story says: "AussieTheatre.com can exclusively reveal that a major Australian production of Titanic, which won Best Musical at the 1997 Tony Awards, is set to be produced later this year. It is strongly rumoured the production will open at the Theatre Royal on October 26 ahead of a major national tour. Titanic, which Sheridan Morley called 'the greatest American musical of the last 15 years' is expected to play in Sydney until the end of the year and is likely to star one of Australia’s most in-demand male performers, who will return from overseas to appear in the production."

May 11: It is officially announced that Titanic will be staged in Sydney. Producer and Director John Diedrich says: “This is one musical which deserves to be seen and felt – sweeping and glorious melodies, large believable characters with a story to tell and a picture of humanity – a snapshot of life itself which can be extremely funny, warm, tender and ultimately moving. It is a show you will celebrate and remember for a long time."

May 22: A major launch for the musical is held at the Maritime Museum in Sydney, primarily for group bookers. It is confirmed that Hayden Tee will play Thomas Andrews, while Belinda Wollaston, Robyn-Jane Lacey, Katrina Rettalick, Joan Carden and Robert Gard are also confirmed as cast members. John Diedrich announces the confirmed cast members at the glamerous launch.

June 8: Showing no sign of what was to come, John Diedrich says interest in Titanic is exceeding expectations. AussieTheatre.com reports: "The Australian production of the Broadway musical Titanic is set to defy the expectations of many and get the 'smash hit' tag added to it with incredible ticket sales and interest in the production. Producer and Director John Diedrich spoke to AussieTheatre.com this morning and confirmed that interest in the show had exceeded expectations. He said group bookings had gone through the roof, while general ticket sales have also been impressive. General tickets went on sale on Monday morning. 'It's going very, very well,' Mr Diedrich said. Mr Diedrich also said that the Titanic website had received 14,000 hits in just two weeks, confirming the public's interest in the musical. The early success of the show in Sydney means it may now tour - with Mr Diedrich confirming it looked very likely the production would at least enjoy a Brisbane season."

June 25: The full cast of the musical is known. It is: Hayden Tee, Brendan Higgins, Nick Tate, Tony Farrell, Todd Goddard, Tony Cogin, David Pearson, Matthew Willis, Alexander Lewis, James Shaw, Cameron Mannix, David Goddard, Keegan Joyce, Robert Gard, Joan Carden, Bartholomew John, Greta Sherriff, Barry Langrishe, Deborah Krizak, Luke Joslin, Sigrid Langford-Scherf, Frank Garfield, Julie O'Reilly, Leonie Page, Nick Christo, Katrina Retallick, Derek Metzger, Frank Hanson, Ana Marina, Warwick Allsopp, Belinda Wollaston, Robyn-Jane Lacey, Belinda Morris, Siobhan Ginty, Adam Williams, Andrew Conaghan and Sharyn Winnie.

July 27: Producer John Diedrich rubbishes rumours that suggest Titanic will essentially be a "concert". The unsubstantiated rumours surrounding Titanic began on a musical theatre discussion forum. One user said: "I have been told it is only a concert performance by people who are in it. On stage microphones perhaps, but no set. I thought it seemed a fast jump to be putting this on." But Diedrich confirms that the new Australian production would not be a concert version. He said there are 200 costumes being used for the show and the wardrobe department started working in June.

July 29: It is confirmed the musical will commence preview performances on October 20.

September 16: It is confirmed that the show will play a Brisbane season.

October 18: Titanic composter Maury Yeston (pictured) speaks to AussieTheatre.com about his excitement surrounding the Australian season. He says: "This will be a new interpretation by a brilliant cast, different and spontaneous every night. Furthermore, just as the themes of immigration to a new world and dreams of a better life are meaningful to an American audience, these themes have their own particular resonance and relevance to Australians, who also have a tradition of immigration." He also praises cast member Belinda Wollaston: "She is very good news, in every way. She is overflowing with talent and is a complete natural," he said. "Star quality cannot be gained, you have to be born with it, and she simply has it. Expect movies, CDs, London, New York, fame and fortune. She is headed for all that - and deservedly."

October 20: Titanic plays its first preview performance at the Theatre Royal in Sydney.

October 26: The show opens to a receptive opening night audience at the Theatre Royal. A party is held at the South Steyne restaurant in Sydney to celebrate (pictured is cast members Luke Joslin and Robyn-Jane Lacy). Reviews start to flow in, most of them positive. Bryce Hallett says in The Sydney Morning Herald: "Director John Diedrich's fluent, clear and passionate production has high musical values and an exemplary cast. Dale Ferguson's streamlined, elegant set design and Phil Lethlean's lighting are resourceful and effective, while Darren Noyce's costumes are magnificent... As the stoker Barrett, Alexander Lewis delivers one of the production's most brilliantly sung and sterling portrayals, while Katrina Retallick as the dauntless Alice Beane and Belinda Wollaston, one of three wishful Kates in third class, contribute fun-loving, feisty turns. Titanic's epilogue is simple and moving but it is the show's overall vocal riches that make it memorable and deserving of success." In her review for AussieTheatre.com, Skye Crawford says: "Maury Yeston’s lyrics and music are perfectly balanced to Peter Stone’s book. The songs are moving and memorable and allow the audience to take a journey and plunge into a fascinating moment in history. The cast are a great ensemble of actors and you have to call them an ensemble because although there are characters that have a bigger role to play than others, all seem on equal ground and the entire cast is genuinely needed to tell the story. John Diedrich directs the whole piece with precision and clarity. Hayden Tee is a standout in his role as Andrews, the ship's designer. He opens the show and from the very first moment hooks you into the Titanic’s incredible historic journey. His ability to convey great emotion from anger, to sadness and even frustration through song is incredible."

November 17: John Diedrich tells his cast that the show will definitely play a Melbourne season.

November 25: In the first sign that the show could be in major trouble, an early closing date is announced in Sydney. Originally scheduled to close on December 31, the show confirms it will end its Theatre Royal run on December 17.

December 15: Disaster strikes - it is confirmed that the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons of Titanic have been cancelled due to lack of interest in the production. It was a shock decision, and John Diedrich claims he is "shattered" and may never work in the theatre again.

December 17: Titanic plays its final performance at the Theatre Royal in Sydney.