Stagecoach Theatre Arts company will bring the powerful story of the Titanic to the Leatherhead stage this week when the budding stars present their latest venture, Unsinkable.
The worldwide drama student organisation has put together a cast of kids from as far afield as the USA, Germany and Gibraltar for the production, which documents the tragic events of the ships ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912.
Production manager Matt Clark explains the reasons for the choice of topic.
“Both the director and writer, Richard Wolfenden-Brown and Matt Baker, are fascinated by the story of the Titanic and have been working on the project for some time.
“They have gone back to the original details and discarded some of the stuff that was put in by the Hollywood version.
“Of course, the Titanic is a historical story with the advantage being that virtually everyone is aware of it.
“So it seemed a good story to explore.”
Mention the word Titanic to the current generation and most minds will wander to James Cameron’s overblown, Oscar-gobbling opus, but Clark admits they are not trying to compete with that mega-budget offering.
He adds: “We are taking a different angle in that we trace everything back to the ship being built and the entire timeline.
“It is quite complicated to stage - we are using a lot of props to make things resemble a ship as it is quite difficult to build an iceberg on stage!”
The cast will be made up of 76 children aged between eight and 18, with the Leatherhead venue the sole date for the ambitious venture.
And Clark is assuring the audience of an entertaining evening.
He reveals: “There are plenty of big company numbers and lots of Irish dancing and I am sure it will prove a success.
“The cast have been superb in rehearsals and everything is on course for a great show.”
Unsinkable, Leatherhead Theatre, Church Street, August 13-15, 7.30pm, £12.50, 01372 365141
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