BBC pulls the plug on Titanic publicity
Cast members from The Phoenix Players's current production Titanic - the Musical.
“BBC scuppers Titanic” isn’t the sort of headline you expect to see in connection with one of Harrogate’s leading amateur musical groups’ new show - but that’s what appears to have happened over the weekend.
The Phoenix Players’s current production Titanic - the Musical was scheduled to be featured on Elaine Paige’s Break-a-Leg spot on Radio 2.
But, despite the Players’ publicity team being told by the BBC that their announcement was ‘brilliant’, it could not be broadcast in the light of the Costa Concordia cruise liner disaster in Italy.
A spokesman for the Phoenix Players said: “We were as shocked and saddened by the news from Giglio as everyone else. Both events seemed unthinkable in their respective times, both resulted in tragic loss of life, and both are, allegedly, due to human error.
“But to say it was insensitive to publicise our show seemed rather unfair. There are a number of productions planned for the Titanic’s centenary year, months of hard work and planning have gone into it, and we have been rehearsing since last summer.”
“Ironically, we are using the show to raise money for the lifeboats. The RNLI has given us massive support, handing out fliers in all weathers and even helping us to sell programmes and raffle tickets. “
“To add insult to injury, Bee Gees star Robin Gibbs’ concept album The Titanic Requiem was promoted on the Chris Evans breakfast show last week. It seems there is one rule for the rich and another for the poor, just as there was on the Titanic.”
Phoenix Players’ lavish production at Harrogate Theatre of Maury Yeston’s award winning musical is based on fact and focuses on the pride of the owners and serving crew, the rigid class and the initial excitement of the passengers.
Most of the characters can be found on the ship’s original manifest and the show features authentic sets, stunning costumes and an emotional musical score.
The show opened last night, Thursday and finishes its run tomorrow, Saturday.
Tickets are available from the box office 01423 502116 or online www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk. A 50p donation from each ticket sold will go to the RNLI.
More information at www.harrogatephoenixplayers.co.uk.
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Weather for Harrogate
Friday 18 May 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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dog cap
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:46 AMComment removed by moderator
dog cap
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:45 AMComment removed by moderator
Rainbow Warrior
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 02:45 AMOK DC let's go loopy with the pcb asap @ the bbc mmm ? wtf is all dat aboot ? Get concoctetated man ... mmm ... bangers and mash ... daddies sauce on top ? ... fish pie tomorrow ? please dad ... these sausages are making me sick ...
dog cap
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:00 AMComment removed by moderator
La Gioconda
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:37 AMi think the beeb is a bit ott on this one. the work done by the RNLI is amazing and it is one of the very few charities i support. part of the problem with the Titanic was that there were insufficient lifeboats so even tho this production is for the land based lifeboats i think it is VERY appropriate n the feature should have gone ahead. also with the technology there is today the Costa Concordia disaster is totally different.
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