Fringe review: BOILER ROOM SIX: A TITANIC STORY, Greenside @ George Street
Photo credit: DMLK Video
In London, The Legend of the Titanic uses technology to bring the story of the great ship sinking during its maiden voyage. In Edinburgh, Tom Foreman's extraordinary play Boiler Room Six: A Titanic Story returns to the Fringe and provides an electrifying, enthralling retelling of one man's experience.
Charlie Sheepshanks plays Frederick Barrett, the stoker in charge of Boiler Room Six on the Titanic, using the words he told the enquiry to bring his fortunate escape to the stage.
Boiler Room Six housed 6 of the 29 boilers used to power the ship and required constant tendering by the stokers, fed with coal by the trimmers deep in the hull of the ship. When it hit the iceberg, they had no right to expect to escape the disaster, but he did, and his testimony provided real insight into what happened on 14 April 1912.
Sheepshanks’ performance is electric, creating all the voices and characters of those he worked with, aided by simple staging, an atmospheric soundtrack, and the effective red, blurry glow of the lights . It is impossible not to be in awe of his storytelling and moved by the tale .
As a descendent of a Titanic Room steward who lost his life, this reviewer urges you to see this show for the quality of the performance and the memory of those who did not survive.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne