Titanic A Commemoration in Music and Film

Katie Melua, Mica Paris and Maverick Sabre have been added to the line-up for Titanic A Commemoration in Music and Film.

Confirming the announcement Katie says: “Belfast will always have a special place in my heart so it is an honour to return to the birthplace of the Titanic, a city I once called home, for this special commemoration. I’m really looking forward to performing at what I’m sure will be a very memorable and moving event.”

They join a line up which includes Bryan Ferry, Joss Stone, Nicola Benedetti, Charlie Siem, the Ulster Orchestra, Alfie Boe and the Irish Harp Orchestra, with award-winning broadcaster John Humphrys hosting the event.

The event which broadcasts live on BBC Two at 8.30pm from Belfast’s Waterfront on April 14, is a unique mix of live music and film. The films tell the story of the RMS Titanic, those who made her and those who sailed and worked on her including the band members who carried on playing while the ship was sinking.

Janice Hadlow; Controller BBC Two said: “We are delighted to bring Titanic A Commemoration in Music and Film to audiences across the UK live on BBC Two from the Waterfront in Belfast, where the world’s most famous ship was built.

“The concert will be a dignified commemoration of those who died and a celebration of the craftsmanship and endeavour it took to build this iconic ship. The talent line-up includes local, national and international stars who will bring the story of Titanic to life in a fitting tribute 100 years after the ship’s sinking in the North Atlantic.”

Jamie Cullum, who talks about the importance of music on board the Titanic in the programme, said: “The Titanic tells us so much about the social history of the time - the separation of classes and the way the music acts like a window on this era. The musicians in particular still touch people today because they were normal people who acted in an extraordinary way when they played the instruments they loved, to calm the passengers and no doubt themselves.”

The documentary also features contributions from Belfast-born Kenneth Branagh, Imelda Staunton and Simon Callow who will be reading accounts written at the time of the disaster.

This commemorative event also features readings read by Northern Ireland actors Bronagh Gallagher, Merlin’s Colin Morgan, Ian McElhinney and British actress and writer Alexis Zegerman.

On her contribution Bronagh Gallagher said: “I am looking forward to being part of this unique event, to honour all the men and woman who built such an incredible ship on our home soil. To pay the utmost respect to the people who lost their lives in such an terrible tragedy and to honour the survivors. It will be a privilege to retell their personal stories, their experiences on board the Titanic and dreams for their future through their letters to their loved ones.”

Colin Morgan says: “I feel truly honoured to be coming home for the Titanic Commemoration. For what was both a colossal feat of shipbuilding achievement and an unimaginable tragedy and to honour all those who lived, worked and lost their lives in the time of Titanic and for the families who were left behind. Everything that Titanic stands for - its splendour, its crew, its passengers, its only voyage and ultimate destruction – is remembered at this time and I know that all us Northern Irelanders will do everyone and everything associated with the Titanic proud by joining in and making this historic event truly special.”

The show will also feature the world premiere of Titanic Drums, an original composition by John Anderson featuring 100 traditional drummers from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, massed choir and six times World Champion drummer Mark Wilson.

There was heavy demand for complimentary tickets to this event. Applications for tickets have now closed.

The project has been commissioned by BBC Two and BBC Northern Ireland from independent production company Whizz Kid Entertainment and Anderson Spratt Group Ltd and received funding from Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Northern Ireland Screen and is supported by Belfast City Council and Tourism Ireland.

A Whizz Kid Entertainment / ASG Co-production for BBC Two and BBC Northern Ireland.

Event Date(s) : April 14th

How to get there