Verdict: Three stars

TITANIC The Musical offers a new perspective to one of the most tragic true stories of our time.

Based on a book by Peter Stone, it actually opened on Broadway in 1997, months before the James Cameron award-winning movie starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio.

So if you are hoping for a Rose and Jack-esque love story with a bit of Celine Dion thrown in - you won’t find it here.

The opening act begins by introducing the characters boarding the Titanic.

Themes of class division are evident from the onset and showcased beautifully through the ideology of each character and their period costumes.

Godspeed Titanic sets the tone for the musical. The song offers a glimpse of the grandeur of the ship and the expectation that it was going to go down in history as one of the greatest vessels of our time. Although we all know that didn’t quite happen the way they planned it.

Attempts were made to involve the audience in the story through songs such as Lady’s Maid involving the three Kate’s, Jim and third class passengers.

In all honesty though, the audience empathy and investment in each of the characters was perhaps lost with the amount of action going on.

Too many different stories were being told at the same time, it was difficult to latch on to a character and follow their journey all the way through.

The first act, however, made up for that by closing in spectacular style which instantly had me interested in the story again.

That famous dramatic call that the ship has hit an iceberg was the moment to remember and the stage lighting enforced the panic of it on board with a forceful beam of light before darkness fell in the King’s Theatre.

Act 2 opened with the evacuation scene. The Blame was a strong number featuring the captain, the ship’s designer and owner. It’s aggressive delivery was captivating and reinforced themes in act one that each of the men invested in the success of the Titanic pushed the ship to its boundaries by increasing speed.

The choreography in act two was beautifully conveyed with panic building up in each move portrayed on stage.

But it was the finale which was the real highlight as the stage curtain fell and the survivors appeared against a tribute backdrop featuring the names of the dead.

This moment reinforced the humanity element of the story and how the sinking of the Titanic was a real tragedy.

Titanic The Musical won a whole host of Tony awards when it first opened but for me the characterisation was a bit of a miss.

The musical numbers are also easy to forget despite the very talented cast.

The musical is dramatic and offers a few laughs at pinnacle points but it’s impact won’t be lasting on me.

Catch Titanic The Musical at The King’s Theatre until June 2.