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As builder of Titanic, Andrews has (or should have!)
an important role in any re-telling of the tragedy. Following is some
information on the actors who have portrayed him and their performances.
Note: Pictures of the actors have been moved to the
gallery.
For additional pictures of Garber,
Cerveris, and Bennett, see
Thomas Andrews & Me.
Victor Garber -
Titanic - 1997
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Victor Garber's performance as Thomas Andrews is extremely
sensitive and as heartbreaking as anything else in the film. Despite
limited screen time, his Andrews is a fully realized and three dimensional
character. The most poignant moment for Garber's Andrews is the moment
near the end of the film where he appears to fix the time on a clock. With
the rest of the ship falling apart around him, he attends to this tiny
detail. Others have interpreted his action as something like closing the
eyes of a loved one who has died.
On casting Garber as Andrews, James Cameron had this to say (from his interview with Ken Marschall, Titanic Commutator Feb/Apr 1998):
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"[Our Thomas] Andrews--the demeanor, in terms of capturing his kind of intelligence and his warmth, I looked at a lot of actors, and I found actors who could play the kind of Promethean intelligence that could create the Titanic and knew every rivet of the ship, but they lacked the warmth. And I found actors who had the warmth, but they seemed stupid. This guy came along and he was everything. He was what Andrews, I think was [all about]. He even had brown eyes."
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Both of the links below will take you to
excellent pages with more information about this very talented and versatile
actor. |
Links:
Jill's Victor Garber Page
The Victor Garber Website
Matthew Bennett-
Titanic: A New Musical
- 1998
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Matthew Bennett took over as Thomas Andrews in July 1998. He is very intense in the role--striding around the stage with strength and confidence which also come through in his voice. Once the inevitable becomes known the heartbreak is apparent--especially in his eyes--sad, but he never for a moment forgets the authority and responsibility he holds as the builder. As anyone who has seen this show can attest, this is not an easy part--how the actors who have played Andrews have avoided seriously injuring themselves in the last seen is beyond me! Bennett hardly does anything to avoid the various objects in the room that hurtle towards him--the music stand, piano bench--ultimately, the piano itself. He is very impressive and I really enjoyed watching the show with him.
Bennett created the role while the show was in workshop. He previously portrayed the Major and 3rd Officer Pitman and understudied and went on as Andrews and Ismay earlier in the run.
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Links:
Matthew Bennett's Favorite Things
Ten Years Apart
Michael Cerveris -
Titanic: A New Musical
- 1997
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Michael Cerveris's interpretation of Andrews is
very strong, almost angry at times. In the musical, Andrews is given a
central role: he sings not only the prologue, but has the final big solo,
telling how the ship will sink as the events he describes take place around
him. Cerveris's Andrews seems unable to forgive himself for his ship's
flaws which he feverishly redesigns in his final moments. Andrews also is
one to point out the vast social changes that Titanic would come to represent
in later years--"one single class/ brute harsh and crass/ that's what will
come of the world that set sail." More on Cerveris is available at both of
the links below--great pages!
Update: Michael left the show on July 6, 1998 to perform solo--in
drag, no less--in the rock show Hedwig & the Angry Inch.
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Links:
Amazing Journey - A Michael Cerveris Page
The Michael Cerveris Fan Page
Michael Goodliffe -
A Night to Remember - 1958
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Until James Cameron's film came
along, A Night to Remember was widely considered the most accurate
telling of the Titanic's story. Indeed, to many, it remains the
unsurpassed favorite due to its documentary style and strict use of only
historical incidents. One of its great assets is undoubtedly Goodliffe's
strong presence as the ship's builder. He appears to remain calm and
collected until the end, but his eyes betray his strong feelings. While
waiting for the end, he advises a newly-wed couple determined to stay
together to leave the ship, speaking softly of his own wife.
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Links:
A Night to Remember (IMDB)
Michael Goodliffe (IMDB)
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