The Titanic Boys

Currently in development is “The Titanic Boys” by the acclaimed Belfast playwright, Martin Lynch. Lynch has chosen to focus in on a group who receive little attention within the Titanic story, the apprentices who travelled as part of Harland and Wolff’s guarantee group. The play will be staged in the Grand Opera House in Belfast in August, 2012. Lynch says, “When I came across the story of The Guarantee Group, I was astounded. Like anyone with a good interest in Titanic over the years I felt I knew a fair amount. I had never ever heard a hint of the Guarantee Boys story. I loved it and decided that this would be the basis of my play.

History of the play

We did a small-scale, two-cast play in the Ulster Hall for one night only – and got a standing ovation. For a variety of reasons it has taken us this long to resurrect the project.” Next time round, the production will be staged with a cast of twelve, an elaborate set and an orchestra.

Playwright's Opinion

Martin Lynch has not shied away from tackling difficult subject matter in his portrayal of Northern Ireland life through theatre. Why did he feel that the Titanic story had been skipped over for so long by local writers?

“I think the pride and integrity with which the average Belfast Shipyard man invested in his work and specifically the Titanic – at that point, it was the greatest feat of maritime engineering ever achieved - made him feel – due to its sinking - as though at some level he had failed. This, in spite of the evidence that for the previous 60 years Harland and Wolff had been the world leaders in shipbuilding innovation, engineering excellence, maritime brilliance and quality product. This in spite of the fact that the truth is that Titanic sank due to a series of about five accumulative human errors and bad luck.”

Event Date(s) : 8th – 25th. August 201. Belfast Grand Opera House.