WHATEVER the merits of the production, York Musical Theatre Company deserves full marks as well as full houses for its enterprise in presenting the UK premiere of this show.

The idea of a musical based on the tragic sinking of the Titanic on her maiden voyage may seem absurd, but works well in reality.

Quite why the show - with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone - never crossed the Atlantic is a mystery. After winning five Tony awards, including best musical of 1997, you'd have thought producers would have been fighting to stage it over here.

Good on the York company for spotting its potential and producer/musical director Paul Laidlaw for captaining a smooth-sailing show.

The film may have had the benefit of special effects plus Leo and Kate as the star-crossed lovers, but the musical has much more heart and soul as the ship of dreams embarks on its nightmare journey.

The lives of a dozen or so passengers - both the millionaires and the poorer folk - along with the captain, crew, ship's owner and designer are interwoven and contrasted as the voyage proceeds.

Many passengers dream of a better life in America, while conflict on the bridge comes as the ship's owner insists on pushing the new ship to its limits for commercial reasons.

The musical style is more Sondheim than Rodgers and Hammerstein, with several songs achieving the emotional impact to reflect the momentous events unfolding.

Maury Yeston is travelling over from the US to see the production this week - I think he'll approve.

* Until Saturday. Tickets 01904 623568.

Published: 11/05/2004