As maritime disasters go, the sinking of R.M.S. Titanic in 1912 is undoubtedly the most discussed, remembered and ultimately adapted despite there being catastrophes resulting in greater loss of life. This, largely due to the success of James Cameron’s 1997 film, has kept the tragedy at large and at times pondered more questions than answers: some relevant, others asking if ‘Jack’ could have also fit on the door…

In Matthew Reynolds’ newly adapted play, Unsinkable explores the events leading up to and the aftermath of the fateful night that White Star Line Chairman, J. Bruce Ismay boarded Collapsible Boat C and became the highest-ranking company official to survive the sinking. But the question remains- should he have gotten in that lifeboat?

Now, also directed by Reynolds following a staged reading in 2025, Unsinkable has been extended into a two-act piece with further survivors’ points of view being explored from Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown to Violet ‘Miss Unsinkable’ Jessop, the latter surviving three ship collisions in the space of five years. Reynolds’ book is at times emotionally charged, witty and informative but can also feel excessive, particularly when delving into further character arcs and subplots, despite them being surface level. The niche of this piece (and how the marketing presents) is a spotlight on J. Bruce Ismay, but regardless of how important every survivor’s story is, focus detracts and places the audience out of the moment resulting in mixed results where some restraint would ensure the piece is fully realised. This is occasionally the case with direction where some scenes are powerful and poignant but due to unnecessary set changes, scenes feel like vignettes with too long a pause in the transition- giving the audience excessive time to breathe- again resulting in withdrawal from the action. It is however not without its highlights- some of the stylistic choices are refreshing, particularly during a scene showing the sensationalism and effects of the press in Act 1 and a robustly staged and emotional scene during a memorial in Act 2, which as a parting tableaux could be an extremely vivid finale.

The cast, led by the ever-exquisite Joseph Winder as Bruce, are passionate and take to their respective roles with gusto. Christopher Forrest as the Inquirer commands his scenes and gives a perfect contrast to the traumatised Ismay. Also amongst the cast, Charlie Forrest’s Officer Lightoller has finetuned the Second Officer’s dogmatic nature through his dominant and blunt performance- just please, go a bit further upstage with that whistle.

That being said, this play has the potential to be great. The pieces are all there, the talent is there, it just needs a bit of reigning in to ultimately give Ismay the spotlight, with a minimal supporting cast to ensure they all fit the same jigsaw. This could assist to support his journey and delve further into Ismay’s narrative- from businessman to a shell of his former self.

Unsinkable plays at Liverpool’s Hope Street Theatre until Saturday 3rd October. Further information and booking details can be found here.

Tickets received in exchange for an honest review. #AD

Photography courtesy of the production.