The Titanic Boys Preview
On Friday last I was lucky enough to attend a short preview of the forthcoming Martin Lynch play—The Titanic Boys due to open up in the Opera House in August this year. Originally entitled-The Guarantee Boys-the drama tells the true story of four young Harland and Wolff apprentices who were handpicked to sail on the ill fated vessel to ensure the smooth running in the various departments. They were actually selected by Thomas Andrews himself just weeks before the Titanic sailed. Although this was only in preview form the short 15 minute excerpt was moving and powerful enough to anticipate the full length version. The four young actors on show were a delight and performed the short piece with commendable vigour. As well as Lynch’s expected informative and witty script to look forward to there is an added bonus of a musical input. And like the Dancing Shoes drama—George Best story—from 2010 Martin has employed a top class collaborator in J.J. Gilmour. The two songs performed in this review certainly live up to the standards of Dancing Shoes and hopefully are the sign of things to come. Some of the other cast members and production team were in the invited audience and there was a palpable air of anticipation. Although not performing on the day, seasoned local actors like Paddy Jenkins and Jimmy Doran were “ champing at the bit “. Martin Lynch has nothing to prove within the theatre world of Northern Ireland and at times has had the audiences here eating out of his hand and begging for more. From Chronicle of Long Kesh to The History of the Troubles—from Dancing Shoes to Dockers he rarely fails to hit the heights. It is my opinion that come August we may be party to his greatest creation yet.
