PLAYWRIGHT’S INTRODUCTION

TO TITANIC AFTERMATH

On April 14th, 1912 the lives of 2,200 families were forever changed along with the attitude of the modern world. The sinking of the Titanic was a seminal event in the early 20th century that shaped the way we looked at technology and mankind’s abilities to “conquer nature.” The tragedy also typified the immense gap between the classes in the so-called “Gilded” age. Furthermore, the disaster showed how corporate greed and careless risk-taking, as in many tragedies of this kind, was at the heart of the problem. Titanic Aftermath focuses on these issues through the eyes of the tragedy’s survivors and its key players.

Based on the Senate Hearing transcripts and survivor accounts, the play is told by J. Bruce Ismay, then president of the White Star Line, and three composite characters: an Officer of the Titanic, a First Class Woman Passenger, and a Third Class Woman Passenger. Through their perceptions and commentary, we travel to the heat of the Senate Hearings, listen to survivor accounts, and experience how the disaster forever altered the lives of those involved. We also follow the scapegoat villain, Bruce Ismay, on a journey towards absolution from his immense feelings of guilt and shame. An ensemble cast plays many different roles all based on actual testimonials and documentation.

Titanic Aftermath is a fascinating exploration into the real reasons why the Titanic disaster happened, the emotional toll it took on its survivors, and how the lessons supposedly learned are still problems today.

…..by Michael Wehrli

For information about the original production, please see:

http://www.rockvillemama.com/titanic1.htm