Third Class: A Titanic Story

THIRD CLASS is a one-man theatre show based on the life of Titanic survivor Edward Dorking.

Edward was openly gay, and on April 10, 1912, he boarded the Titanic on a ticket bought by his parents, hoping his American relatives could “fix” him. The show follows his journey from third-class passenger to survivor, swimming for 30 minutes toward an already full collapsible lifeboat.

After arriving in New York, Edward toured the Vaudeville circuit, retelling his story to an eager public. But he wasn’t seeking fame—he wanted justice. While the world mourned wealthy elites, few acknowledged the disproportionate losses suffered by third-class passengers.

Combining music, movement, projection, and historical fact, THIRD CLASS shines a light on an overlooked figure from a familiar tragedy—an unknown hero with a voice worth hearing.

Post Show Wednesday 27th January: There will be a post show Q&A with the writer and performer Russell Lucas, providing a fascinating insight into the story. This is open to all who attended that evening’s performance.