CQD to SOS: A Titanic Story Sails into Edinburgh Fringe

This reimagining of the last hours in the Titanic’s communications room is taut with desperate hope on the part of the radio operators: Jack Phillips and Harold Bride on the Titanic and Harold Cottam who heard the distress messages on The Carpathia. 

The narrative details the quiet heroism of men doing their job to the very best of their ability in the face of futile hope. It paints duty and despair in the context that the RMS Titanic is, to this day, cradled on the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean, lying 3,800 metres deep. The slow engulfment of this vessel and the loss of life is as immutable as the icebergs the ship encountered.  

The three actors, Daniel Drever, Stephen McParland and Declan John Anthony are well cast. They embody tension in very different ways. The black box set is apt for the theme and the sound effects add colour to the atmosphere.

Oliver Giggins’ writing does not waste words. His direction focuses on the facts regarding the last few hours of the ship’s voyage. It is well-constructed and engaging.

Given our current heat wave and the prognosis for the ice caps over the next few years, revisiting the tragedy of The Titanic is apt. NASA data shows Greenland loses roughly 264 billion tons of ice annually, and Antarctica loses around 135 billion tons per year. If we are still a viable species, will we marvel at the fact that an unsinkable ship was destroyed by a mere iceberg in years to come?

This is a contemplative piece of theatre, couched in stark facts, ideal for those who are intrigued with life’s tragedies. It celebrates personal heroism and acknowledges those that tried to change the outcome, despite all the odds.

Dates: August 17th – 22nd 2026

Time: 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM

Venue: Greenside @ Riddles Court, Edinburgh

Tickets: Starting from £13, available via the Edinburgh Festival Fringe