Surprisingly Useful AI Article Enhancements
William Hanson, the etiquette coach and co-host of the podcast Help I Sexted My Boss, is set to make his West End debut in the Olivier Award winning musical comedy Titanique at the Criterion Theatre.
Hanson, whose podcast has accumulated more than 100 million streams, will join the cast for a six-week run from 9 June to 19 July, taking on the role of Ruth in the Celine Dion-inspired retelling of the Titanic story.
“Gloriously Bonkers”
Hanson appears well aware of the absurdity of his transition from social media etiquette lessons to the West End stage.
“Quite how I’ve ended up boarding Titanique, I’m not entirely sure,” Hanson explains. “One minute I’m teaching the world table manners on social media, the next I’m in a sequinned fever dream somewhere in the Piccadilly Circus part of the North Atlantic.”
He describes the show as “gloriously bonkers, outrageously funny, and exactly the sort of theatrical chaos I adore.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining this sensational cast and have already begun practising the most important skill for the voyage: judging the other passengers from afar,” Hanson adds.
New Cast Members Board The Ship
Hanson is not the only new addition to the London production. Lewis Francis joins the cast as The Iceberg and Nikki Wheeldon takes on the role of Molly Brown. AJ Lewis and Joi Lurrie come aboard as on-stage background vocalists, while Finton Flynn, Josh Lovell and Charlotte Soo have been cast as offstage understudies.
The new arrivals join a returning company that includes Rose Galbraith as Rose, Astrid Harris as Celine Dion, Michael Vinsen as Victor Garber / Luigi and on-stage background vocalist Corrine Priest. Freddie King, previously an offstage understudy, steps into the role of Jack, while Cameron Vear, also formerly an offstage understudy, moves into the role of Cal.
Further casting for the role of Ruth from 19 July onwards is yet to be confirmed.
Booking Extended To January 2027
The London production of Titanique has also extended its booking period through to January 2027, with Producers Eva Price and Michael Harrison citing strong demand. Tickets are available through london.titaniquemusical.com.
The show, which features Celine Dion hits including My Heart Will Go On, All by Myself and To Love You More performed with a live band, has collected five-star reviews from publications including The Times, the Daily Mail, the Sunday Express, the Sunday Mirror, Gay Times and London Theatre.
A Global Hit With Broadway Recognition
Titanique was co-written by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli. It premiered Off-Broadway in June 2022 at the Asylum Theater, with co-authors Mindelle and Rousouli performing as Celine Dion and Jack Dawson respectively.
After a string of sold-out extensions, the show transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre in November 2022, where it ran until June 2025. Beyond New York and London, the musical has staged runs in Paris, Sydney, Montreal and Toronto.
The production made its Broadway debut at the St. James Theatre in March 2026, receiving four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2025, along with seven awards during the 2022/23 theatre season, including three Lucille Lortel Awards and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical.
The Creative Team
Titanique is directed by Tye Blue and choreographed by Ellenore Scott. Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations are by IRNE Award winner Nicholas James Connell. Scenic Design is by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Lauchbacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production, with Costume Design by Alejo Vietti, Lighting Design by Paige Seber and Sound Design by Lawrence Schober. Casting is handled by Pearson Casting CDG and Richard Johnston for the cast joining from 9 June.
The London production is produced by Eva Price and Michael Harrison.
