As Tim Marriott, star of the BBC’s Brittas Empire, prepares to board Queen Mary 2 for our final Cunard Showcases of the year, we look back on the success of the 2024 programme.
When guests sail with Cunard, their on board entertainment isn’t only confined to the Royal Court Theatre. Cunard likes to immerse their guests in the action, with the ship setting the stage for some of the most unique productions at sea.
That’s why, on selected voyages, there are performances of a more intimate nature, delivered in places guests probably wouldn’t expect. Cunard calls it Showcases because that’s exactly what it is: a celebration of live performance, showcased through extraordinary experiences.
This year, guests have had the chance to experience rare theatrical treats with residencies and one-off performances on selected voyages from special guests and theatre companies from around the world.
Queen Elizabeth hosted Adelaide Fringe Best Theatre Award-winning Jack’s Ashes and Tony Award-winning South Pacific for an Australian voyage each, as well as a six-week residency of internationally renowned Circa. During their time on board, Circa performed three different full-scale acrobatic and theatrical productions in the Royal Court Theatre, and a 20-minute (cheeky) late-night show in the Queens Room.
Queen Elizabeth Entertainment Director Sally Sagoe, said:
Absolutely stunning act from start to finish. Standing ovations for all three performances. Cannot speak highly enough regarding their accomplished breathtaking acrobatics. A brand-new concept for Cunard and highly successful – including workshops and Queens Room pop-up appearances – gasps of delight from audiences watching their performances. Stunning.
Meanwhile, Queen Victoria was joined by Olivier Award-winning production company OperaUpClose who delivered Opera Cocktail. Performed in witty new English translations and beautifully acted in the company’s engaging, intimate style, the evening included Musetta’s aria from La Bohème, Carmen’s sexy Habanera, and the drinking song from La Traviata.
With her World Voyage and frequent Transatlantic Crossings, Queen Mary 2 became the most common setting for Cunard’s Showcases. Box Tale Soup performed the breathtaking new version of Jonathan Swift’s incredible adventure in Gulliver in Illuminations, while Brisbane Immersive invited guests into the interactive world of Cluedo! The Interactive Game in the Grand Lobby.
Over in the Queens Room, Brisbane Immersive also brought Speakeasy to Queen Mary 2, with powerhouse performances, bump and grind burlesque, and colourful characters mixing with the crowd in a cocktail of glamour and intrigue. Pursuit Theatre presented their unique take on Shakespeare’s greatest comedy, Twelfth Night, while one-woman shows Victorine: The Artist’s Model and The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuinness took the ship by storm on the stage of the Royal Court Theatre.
Now, Tim Marriott prepares to board the ship to bring Edinburgh Festival Best Actor Award- and Adelaide Fringe Best Theatre Award-winning Appraisal, and one-man play, created with Bert Coules, Watson: The Final Problem to the Royal Court Theatre.
The Cunard Showcases programme has been headed up by the Entertainment Development team, particularly Entertainment Development Manager, Catherine Robey-Ancient, who found her feet in the theatre world on land and is making it her mission to break barriers and bring award-winning theatre to sea.
Catherine, said:
Before joining Cunard, I was a professional theatre director and on joining the company, strived to bring West End- and regional touring-quality shows on board our ships, with the aim of breaking barriers and challenging target guests’ perceptions of cruise ship entertainment. This evolved into the highly successful Cunard Showcases, which has garnered theatre industry and guest recognition.
I engage with my existing network of professional artists, search for shows at Edinburgh Festival annually and reach out across the globe to companies new to cruise who I believe will be a great fit for Cunard. We are about to present our final Cunard Showcase of 2024 on board Queen Mary 2 and I am delighted with the success of the programme over the last two years. 2025 is shaping up to be extremely exciting!
Keep your eyes peeled for the Cunard Showcases 2025 programme launch coming soon…