STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of '41N 50W' at St. James Studio Theatre, Based on 1912 Titanic US Senate Hearings

By: Sep. 23, 2012
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41N 50W is the last known position of the Titanic before she sank at 2.20am on 15th April 1912 during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. 41N 50W is a unique new play written by Robert Neal Marshall, adapted from more than 1,100 pages of the original 1912 Senate Hearings. Readings of the play will be presented at the St. James Studio Theatre on 4 and 5 October 2012. Check out an introductory video with interviews with the creative team and more below!

This disaster and the loss of lives on this seemingly invincible vessel shocked those on both sides of the Atlantic and 100 years later still continues to hold a beguiling fascination for young and old alike.

The play is adapted from more than 1,100 pages of the original 1912 Senate Hearings that began in New York’s Waldorf Astoria before moving to the Senate Building in Washington only four days after the disaster and one day after the stunned survivors arrived in the city on their rescue ship the Carpathia. Through the testimonies of the participants the world found out for the first time what had happened on that fateful night.

41N 50W is a documentary style drama based on the actual words spoken at the hearing. It is not just a retelling of this familiar story but takes a unique point of view by focusing on the experiences of key players surrounding the tragedy. As the magnitude of the disaster unfolds and the real life drama becomes apparent through the testimonies at the hearing, the audience like the journalists and public who attended these hearings see the pieces of a puzzle come together as those involved desperately try to find out the truth, whilst struggling to take action amidst misinformation and confusion.

41N 50W is performed in a “reading” format with a cast of 5 talented actors playing multiple survivors , closely connected witnesses and Senator Alden Smith who questions them. The imagery is created by the powerful script aided by projections of original photographs and materials, the sound effects and lighting.

Following a reading of 41N 50W to an invited audience on the on 14th August, Robert Neal Marshall and Jenny Montefiore on behalf of 41N productions are delighted to announce four performances in The St James Studio at London’s newest theatre complex The St James Theatre - part of the studio’s short pre-opening season.

Directed by Norma Atallah. Starring (in alphabetical order) BRADLEY CLARKSON, Tina Jones, PATRICK TOOMEY, Bryan Torfeh and RUPERT WICKHAM.

For further information about 41N 50W, go to www.41N50W.com. And watch the video!



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