Titanic Experience awaits diners at The Old Bell Hotel

Titanic Experience awaits diners at The Old Bell Hotel

The final hours of the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic will be re-created at a unique theatrical dining event at The Old Bell Hotel in Sadler Gate, Derby, on Sunday April 26.

The Lost Boys theatre company will narrate the final hours of the cruise liner before it sank in the North Atlantic ocean with the loss of around 1,500 people.

Alongside extracts of memoirs from survivors and stories about some who did not survive, actors will portray a number of key characters whose actions and decisions had such a dramatic impact on the fateful night including Captain J Smith, other crew members and J Bruce Ismay, Director of White Star Line.

The immersive theatre will be interspersed with two very different dining experiences – recreating life on board for either first class or steerage passengers.

The Old Bell’s Grand Regency Ballroom will provide the perfect setting for Titanic’s luxurious first class dining room. Guests will enjoy the five-course dinner which was served aboard the Titanic during that final evening on April 14 1912. 

The menu starts with canapes followed by consommé, Punch Romaine iced palate cleanser, roasted squab and then Waldorf pudding whilst classical music adds to the refined atmosphere.

Alternatively, guests can opt to experience life as a third class passenger below deck with a simple but hearty menu of vegetable soup, roast pork and plum pudding to the rousing tunes of the folk fiddle.

Vegetarian options are also available on both menus.

At the end of the evening, the sinking of the Titanic will be marked by heart-pounding sounds and lighting blending with the string quartet playing ‘Nearer, My God, To Thee’ before an eerie silence.

Paul Hurst, owner of The Old Bell, said: “The Old Bell is the perfect venue for such an event as the ballroom was originally created in the early 20th century and inspired by cruise ships of the era.

“We hope that everyone will add to the atmosphere by dressing up appropriately for their positions as either first class or steerage passengers and immerse themselves in the raw emotions that were felt by the crew and passengers as the tragedy unfolded.”

He added: “We have worked with The Lost Boys on several theatrical dining events at The Old Bell in the past but the ‘Titanic’ takes this programme to another level.

“The evening perfectly illustrates our aim to make The Old Bell an exciting and diverse venue for entertainment, food and drink for everyone to enjoy.”

‘Titanic’ on Sunday April 26 sets sail at 7pm and finishes at 10.30pm.  Tickets cost £49.95 for first class and £39.95 for steerage and are available at https://bellhotelderby.co.uk/event/titanic-dining-experience/  

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