Home Films, Theatre & TVTheatre Titanique: The Musical: A Camp-Soaked Voyage Where Céline Dion Meets Titanic in a Glittering and Hilarious West End Show at the Criterion Theatre

Titanique: The Musical: A Camp-Soaked Voyage Where Céline Dion Meets Titanic in a Glittering and Hilarious West End Show at the Criterion Theatre

by Jonathan Currinn
14 minutes read Send a Virtual Coffee ☕

Last Tuesday, we boarded the “Ship of Dreams” and embarked on a hilariously chaotic journey through Titanique: The Musical at London’s Criterion Theatre. Attending alongside our friends, TBHonest, we were captivated from start to finish by this queer, campy spectacle that had us in stitches throughout.

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Setting Sail on a Hilarious Voyage: Titanique’s Reimagining of the Classic Film

Titanique: The Musical is an uproarious reimagining of James Cameron’s iconic “Titanic”, but with a hilarious twist—it’s told through the lens of Céline Dion’s iconic catalogue and larger-than-life persona. The musical blends the tragic love story of Jack and Rose with Dion’s signature powerhouse vocals and off-the-wall humour, creating an experience that’s equal parts heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny.

In this quirky retelling, Céline Dion herself steps in as the narrator, guiding audiences through the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic—because, as the show hilariously suggests, Céline Dion was there all along. As the production unfolds, audiences are treated to a high-energy parody brimming with nostalgia, a slew of queer-pop culture references, and an abundance of witty humour. The irreverence of the musical gives the iconic film a fun new spin, where a tragic love story is reworked into a playful, comedic extravaganza.

The musical features Céline Dion’s greatest hits, including “My Heart Will Go On”, “All By Myself”, and “River Deep, Mountain High”. But the show doesn’t just stop at her classic ballads—unexpected and uproarious moments emerge as the cast bursts into anthems like “Who Let the Dogs Out” (yes, really) by the Baha Men. Backed by a live band, the songs are seamlessly woven into the narrative, with each number offering either a hilarious reinterpretation of the film’s key moments or showcasing Dion’s emotional vocal brilliance. Titanique: The Musical is a theatrical journey that takes you from tearful laughter to pure musical delight, all while celebrating the enduring spirit of the iconic pop star herself.

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Rewriting Titanic: Céline Dion’s Hilarious Take on the Iconic Film

Played with charisma and comedic brilliance by Lauren Drew, Céline Dion becomes the ultimate unreliable narrator as she recounts “her” version of events aboard the ill-fated ship. From Jack and Rose’s love story to the Iceberg’s (literal) larger-than-life personality, the musical gleefully parodies the iconic moments of James Cameron’s epic.

Instead of leaning into tragedy, this version injects humour at every turn. The steamy car scene? Reinterpreted with a side-splitting twist. The heart-wrenching farewell on the floating door? Céline Dion’s version flips it entirely on its head, strapping the iconic door to her back as Jack hilariously slips away, making shivering glugging noises.

The iconic “draw me like one of your French girls” scene? This time, Céline Dion takes the spotlight, lying down in front of Rose to block her from Jack’s view, while Jack’s drawing ability resembles cat-inspired stick figures. It’s a perfect example of the show’s commitment to turning even the most emotional scenes into moments of comedic genius, reliving the “Titanic” film in the most unexpected way imaginable.

What elevates this retelling is Céline Dion’s unshakable belief in her “truth”, creating a laugh-out-loud contrast between the seriousness of the original film and the sheer absurdity of her personal Titanic tale. The result is a meta-theatrical romp that manages to pay homage to the film while turning its grandeur on its head.

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Shining Stars: The Performers Who Bring Titanique: The Musical to Life

The cast delivered stellar performances across the board, with each member bringing their unique flair to this wild retelling.

  • Lauren Drew as Céline Dion stole the show with her uncanny impersonation, cheeky audience interactions, and buttery vocals that commanded the stage.
  • Rob Houchen and Kat Ronney as Jack and Rose, respectively, brought both hilarity and heart, perfectly embodying the spirit of their iconic counterparts while adding a fresh comedic twist.
  • Jordan Luke Gage’s portrayal of the villainous Cal added layers of camp, turning Billy Zane’s brooding character into a petulant yet delightfully over-the-top antagonist.
  • Layton Williams as The Iceberg delivered one of the show’s standout performances, dazzling in a shimmering mini-dress and Tina Turner-inspired moves during “River Deep, Mountain High”.
  • Stephen Guarino as Ruth, Rose’s mother, consistently broke the fourth wall with laugh-out-loud moments that showcased their drag-inspired brilliance.
  • The full cast, including Darren Bennett, Charlotte Wakefield, the backing vocalists, and more, brought the show to life with infectious energy and comedic precision.

The Creative Team Behind Titanique: The Musical

Titanique: The Musical is a dazzling collaboration that relies on the brilliant minds behind the scenes to bring its absurdity and heart to life. At the helm of this creative powerhouse is Tye Blue, the director and co-author, whose vision for the production has shaped its unique, comedic take on the iconic film. Blue’s direction, alongside Adam Wachter’s musical direction, expertly balances parody with the seriousness of the original story and the film itself, guiding the cast and creative team to deliver a show that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

The co-authors, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli, alongside Blue, deserve special mention for their exceptional work in shaping the script and concept of Titanique: The Musical. Their creativity in blending the Titanic narrative with Céline Dion’s music created a space where satire and sincerity can co-exist beautifully. This collaboration breathes new life into the beloved film, ensuring that Titanique: The Musical feels fresh and exciting while staying true to its heart.

The set design by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn & Grace Laubacher for Iron Bloom is nothing short of breathtaking. It transports the audience right into the vision of the Titanic while reflecting the campy storyline, allowing Céline Dion’s take on the iconic film to be effortlessly showcased. Add in the awesome costume design by Alejo Vietti bringing layers of sparkle and flair, alongside Paige Serber’s lighting design which expands the characterisation, and it’s not a surprise that Titanique: The Musical has quickly become such a success.

On top of that, no musical would be complete without stunning choreography, and Ellenore Scott’s choreography for Titanique: The Musical is as breathtaking as it is energetic. The dance numbers are beautifully staged, adding a level of dynamism to the performances while maintaining the fantasy, while the slow ballads are strong and well-thought-out. The choreography mirrors the show’s tone—fun, lively, and full of personality—making each number a spectacle in itself.

Here’s the list of the creative team behind Titanique: The Musical:

  • Marla Mindelle – Co-author
  • Constantine Rousouli – Co-author
  • Tye Blue – Director, Co-author
  • Ellenore Scott – Choreographer
  • Adam Wachter – Musical Direction
  • Nicholas James Connell – Music Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements
  • Gabriel Hainer Evansohn & Grace Laubacher for Iron Bloom – Scenic Design
  • Alejo Vietti – Costume Design
  • Lawrence Schober – Sound Design
  • Paige Seber – Lighting Design

Queer Culture Front and Centre

At its core, Titanique: The Musical is a celebration of camp, queerness, and unabashed theatricality. The musical embraces LGBTQ+ culture with open arms, delivering a playful and self-aware tribute to iconic queer references. Layton Williams doubles as the museum tour guide, the Seaman (puns and jokes are to be expected), and later transforms into the Iceberg B*tch—a Tina Turner-inspired diva who wields the power to decide the fate of the Titanic’s survivors. Channelling big drag energy, Williams delivers sharp humour, dazzling choreography, and a powerhouse performance that has audiences howling with laughter.

The Iceberg B*tch character is a quintessential nod to drag culture, blending over-the-top sass with a commanding stage presence. One of the show’s most unforgettable moments comes during a lip-sync for your life—a RuPaul’s Drag Race-inspired showdown that determines who gets a lifeboat and who doesn’t. Expect Jack and Cal to don drag queen personas, complete with a playful Miss Vanjie reference that will delight fans of Drag Race. Adding to the meta-theatrical fun, there’s even a nod to Strictly Come Dancing, where paddles are raised to score Williams’ dazzling performance—a clever callback to his own stint on the show, where he placed as runner-up.

This connection to queer culture is not just a surface-level wink but a fundamental element of Titanique: The Musical’s charm. From Jack and Rose’s exaggerated romance to Céline Dion’s larger-than-life personality, every element of the show is infused with a flamboyant and joyous energy that speaks directly to queer audiences while remaining universally entertaining.

Even the music choices lean into this spirit. Céline Dion’s iconic power ballads have long been anthems in queer spaces, celebrated for their emotional intensity and theatricality. By reinterpreting her hits with humour and heart, Titanique: The Musical brings these beloved songs into a campy new light, ensuring they resonate even more deeply with LGBTQ+ fans.

This celebration of queerness doesn’t just make the musical a fun experience—it transforms it into a space of acceptance, joy, and community, where everyone is invited to laugh, sing, and revel in the magic together.

A Setlist to Remember: The Musical Numbers

The musical numbers in Titanique: The Musical are nothing short of iconic, seamlessly blending Céline Dion’s greatest hits with the story of “Titanic” in a way that’s both hilarious and heartfelt. The premise of Titanique: The Musical is absurd yet joyful and immediately sets the stage for a laugh-out-loud experience. The story begins with Céline Dion, portrayed as a larger-than-life survivor of the Titanic disaster, arriving on a tour of the Titanic museum. As she hilariously declares that history got it wrong, she insists on telling her version of events—complete with love, drama, and plenty of iconic pop anthems.

As the story unfolds, Céline Dion’s discography becomes the soundtrack to the drama and romance aboard the ill-fated ship. Numbers like “Seduces Me” and “All By Myself” are cleverly reworked to fit the characters’ emotions, often with laugh-out-loud lyrics that poke fun at the original songs while still honouring their emotional power.

Of course, no Céline Dion celebration would be complete without her mega-hits “I Drove All Night” and “My Heart Will Go On” (it is the Titanic soundtrack after all), with the former bringing one of the most iconic moments of the Titanic—hitting the iceberg, while the latter ends the show phenomenally.

  1. (A) New Day Has Come
  2. Taking Chances
  3. Where Does My Heart Beat Now
  4. If You Asked Me To
  5. To Love You More
  6. Who Let The Dogs Out (originally by the Baha Men)
  7. Beauty and the Beast
  8. You and I
  9. Tell Him
  10. I Surrender
  11. River Deep Mountain High
  12. Seduces Me
  13. I Drove All Night
  14. All By Myself
  15. The Prayer
  16. My Heart Will Go On
  17. I’m Alive

Every musical number is a theatrical experience in itself, with powerhouse vocals, clever choreography, and the kind of energy that gets the audience clapping, laughing, and even singing along. By the end of the performance, Céline Dion’s songs feel like they were destined to tell Titanic’s story all along—a testament to the brilliant creativity of the production team. We also have to give a special mention to Lauren Drew who flawlessly delivers as Céline Dion, we seriously can’t imagine any other actress taking on this role!

A Parody with Heart and Humour

From start to finish, Titanique: The Musical revels in its absurdity, delivering a show that’s both uproariously funny and unexpectedly heartfelt. The musical thrives on clever updates and subversive moments, offering numerous nods to queer culture and theatre fandom. It’s a celebration of the playful and extravagant, with panto-inspired jokes and moments that bring a uniquely British flair, such as Cal sourcing “The Heart of the Ocean” necklace from Claire’s Accessories—a hilariously cheeky update to the iconic prop. This playful reimagining of the beloved film offers the audience a constant stream of laughs, blending camp with genuine homage.

The humour doesn’t just live in the script; it extends to the show’s visual and production elements. The set design, with its ocean-liner-inspired LED panels, enhances the campy atmosphere, transforming the stage into a whimsical tribute to the film’s most iconic moments. Yet, beneath all the satire and slapstick humour, there’s an undeniable affection for Titanic that shines through. This isn’t just a mockery of a cultural touchstone; it’s a love letter wrapped in absurdity. With every exaggerated performance and every absurd scenario, Titanique: The Musical strikes the perfect balance between parody and heartfelt reverence, keeping the audience laughing while evoking the emotional heart of the original story.