BEAUTIFULLY groomed in Edwardian-costumes, he cast and crew of “Titanic: The Musical” were living it up at the Hyatt this week, munching cucumber sandwiches at their “last morning tea on board”.

The actor-singers (only a small part of the full cast, we were told) raised the roof as excerpts of the show were performed, but with no iceberg, as Supa Productions director Garrick Smith chatted about his new, enhanced version of the show, a Canberra Critics’ Circle and CAT award-winner back in 2004.

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The sinking of the Titanic back in 1912 saw a total of 1517, men, women and children go to their watery deaths, with just 711 surviving.

There have been fictional and non-fictional books, films and songs on the subject, but possibly this musical is the most original take on the disaster.

An absolute show-stopper is the Morse-code song “The Night was Alive”, where the wireless operators tap out their desperate messages.

A fascinating sidelight was the display of the Titanic ship model purchased by director Smith eight years ago and now restored to mark this revival of the show.

“Titanic: The Musical,” at the ANU Arts Centre, May 14-28, bookings to 6257 1950. dinner and show packages at Teatro Vivaldi: 1st Class $120, 2nd Class $100, 3rd class $80, bookings to 6257 2718.