Can’t fault Tinhatters for trying something new

SAILING into Hinckley with the story of the ill-fated Titanic at the Hinckley Concordia this week are the talented Tinhatters, writes Tony Parratt.

This sell out show certainly drew the crowds, but for me it seemed rather disjointed, with some 20 scene changes and characters popping out all over the stage, sometimes at the speed of a hi-tech computer game.

The scenery was very authentic, particularly when the ship was askew and listing, but with so many characters being portrayed, it felt at times as though the original full sized ship’s company was on show.

This for me was a shame really, because the singing was excellent, but with so many people involved, you never really had time to get to really know any of them.

That said, it was a first-class company led by Will Hare as Bruce Ismay, the owner of the ship. Peter Barber was an impressive Captain Smith, while Greg Smith as designer Thomas Andrews also excelled.

Some flashes of rare humour came from Emma-Jayne Gladman as wouldbe socialite Alice Beane, while Damon Walsh as stoker Frederick Barrett, proved a fine singer. And his duet with radioman Harold Bride (Karl Bates) was one of the highlights.

With a large ensemble the chorus numbers were truly stunning and also in commanding form was stalwart baritone Glyn Morley as Band Master Hartley.

The musical clearly demonstrated the different social classes on board and how they were treated. And when the three Kates (Becca Ward, Sarah McAteer and Kirsty Stoker) did their jigs and dance it was a lovely moment.

At nearly two and three quarter hours with 20-minutes interval, I was ready for the boat to sink, as everyone seemed to sing a song before they made for the lifeboat, or stayed to await their fate, but judging by the applause at the end the capacity crowd seemed to enjoy it.

You can’t fault the Tinhatters for trying something new, it is just not one I particularly warmed to.