Céline Dion Takes a Hilarious Dive in ‘Titanic’ Parody That Will Leave You Laughing!

Camp can be described as a “dangerous component”, remarked Clive Davis in The Times. Frequently, it simply becomes “weary gestures and quips wrapped in a layer of universal irony”. During the initial ten minutes of this “madcap jukebox musical” – a parodic reinterpretation of “Titanic” that draws from the extensive repertoire of the Canadian vocalist Celine Dion – I was convinced we were heading down a dead end. “Everyone loves sailors!” one character exclaimed, causing me to sink deeper into my chair. Yet, astonishingly, I became captivated as the performance gained momentum and the humor flowed rapidly, akin to “‘Airplane!’ with a flair for musical theatre”.

You might assume this “outrageous show” (already a success off-Broadway) primarily caters to “Celine fans, ‘Titanic’ aficionados, bachelorette parties, and drag celebrations”, stated Patrick Marmion in the Daily Mail. “However, in my view, it possesses the broad appeal to run for months, perhaps even years. Titaníque? C’est fantastique!”

I’m uncertain if this “meta-theatrical comedy” is “as brilliant or amusing as it aspires to be”, but it’s executed with such finesse and enthusiasm that “it’s undeniably enjoyable”, noted Sarah Crompton on What’s on Stage.

Lauren Drew is comedic as Dion, who is portrayed as a passenger aboard the ill-fated ship and the narrator of the performance, stated Nick Curtis in The London Standard. Dressed in sequins, she delivers masterful imitations of “the singer’s powerful vocal techniques and yodeling riffs”, sprinkled with “richly-voiced asides”. At the same time, Layton Williams portrays Tina Turner as the silver-clad “Iceberg Bitch”, who is resolute on crashing the ship.

Tye Blue’s “effervescent” direction “embodies a wonderfully bold, carefree spirit with dazzling performances”, noted Arifa Akbar in The Guardian. However, the central gag does begin to feel “overextended”.

Additionally, there are instances when you may not feel completely at ease laughing, considering the enormity of the Titanic disaster, remarked Dominic Cavendish in The Daily Telegraph. Nonetheless, viewed on its own terms – “mocking grand cinema with a minimal theatricality” – this entertainment is “hard to criticize”.

Criterion Theatre, London W1. Running until 30 March