William Hanson Makes West End Debut in Olivier Award-Winning Titanique at the Criterion Theatre

The West End's most gloriously irreverent musical comedy is welcoming a very special passenger aboard. William Hanson, the nation's favourite etiquette coach and co-host of the hugely popular podcast Help I Sexted My Boss, is set to make his West End debut in Titanique this summer. Hanson will take on the role of Ruth for a limited six-week engagement running from Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 19 July 2025 at the Criterion Theatre.

The news arrives alongside a major announcement for the show itself: following phenomenal audience demand, Titanique has extended its West End booking through to January 2027, cementing its status as one of the hottest tickets in London theatre.

Who Is William Hanson?

For those unfamiliar with Hanson's particular brand of charm, he has built a formidable reputation as Britain's go-to authority on manners, social graces, and the art of proper behaviour. His social media presence, where he shares guidance on everything from table etiquette to navigating awkward social encounters, has amassed millions of followers. His podcast Help I Sexted My Boss, co-hosted with Jordan North, has surpassed 100 million streams and won multiple awards, making him one of the most recognisable media personalities in the UK.

Now, Hanson is swapping etiquette tutorials for sequinned chaos on the West End stage. His casting feels like an inspired match for a show that thrives on camp excess and knowing humour, and the etiquette expert clearly agrees.

Speaking about joining the production, Hanson said: "Quite how I've ended up boarding Titanique, I'm not entirely sure. 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. Titanique is 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."

New Cast Members Boarding the Ship of Dreams

Hanson is not the only new addition to London's most glamorous maritime disaster. Joining him in the Titanique company are Lewis Francis as The Iceberg and Nikki Wheeldon as Molly Brown. AJ Lewis and Joi Lurrie will serve as on-stage background vocalists, while Finton Flynn, Josh Lovell, and Charlotte Soo complete the new intake as off-stage understudies.

The fresh arrivals will join the existing company, which includes Rose Galbraith as Rose, Astrid Harris as the inimitable Céline Dion, Freddie King as Jack, Cameron Vear as Cal, Michael Vinsen as Victor Garber/Luigi, and on-stage background vocalist Corrine Priest. Both King and Vear have been promoted from their previous roles as off-stage understudies, a testament to the talent nurtured within the production.

Further casting for the role of Ruth beyond Hanson's 19 July departure is yet to be announced, suggesting producers may have another exciting guest star up their sequinned sleeves.

What Makes Titanique So Special?

For anyone who hasn't yet experienced this Olivier Award-winning phenomenon, Titanique reimagines James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster Titanic through the fabulously unhinged lens of Céline Dion herself. The show uses Dion's iconic back catalogue (think "My Heart Will Go On", "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", and "All By Myself") to retell the doomed love story of Jack and Rose with an outrageously funny twist.

Originally a smash hit Off-Broadway, Titanique transferred to the West End and quickly became one of the most talked-about shows in London. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2024, beating stiff competition and proving that audiences have an insatiable appetite for smart, self-aware comedy that refuses to take itself seriously. The show has drawn a devoted fanbase who return repeatedly, often bringing friends who have no idea what they're in for.

The production's home at the Criterion Theatre, nestled in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, provides the perfect intimate setting for a show that thrives on audience interaction and the kind of electric atmosphere that only a smaller venue can generate. The Victorian-era theatre's ornate interiors add an unintentional layer of period-appropriate grandeur that suits the show's Edwardian setting beautifully.

Booking Extended Through January 2027

The decision to extend the run through to January 2027 speaks volumes about the show's commercial and critical success. In a West End landscape where many productions struggle to find a long-term foothold, Titanique has proven itself a genuine crowd-pleaser with remarkable staying power. The extension means the show will have enjoyed a substantial West End residency, and with the production continuing to attract high-profile guest performers like Hanson, there's every reason to believe it could run even longer.

The strategy of bringing in celebrity guest stars for limited engagements is a well-established West End tradition. Shows like Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club have demonstrated how revolving star casting can keep a production feeling fresh and generating media attention. For Titanique, Hanson's casting is particularly clever: his massive social media following introduces the show to an entirely new audience demographic who might not typically consider a trip to the theatre.

The Celebrity Casting Trend in the West End

Hanson's West End debut is part of a broader trend that has seen personalities from outside the traditional theatre world step onto London's biggest stages. From reality television stars to social media influencers and podcast hosts, producers are increasingly recognising that celebrity casting can bring fresh energy and new audiences to established shows.

What makes Hanson's casting particularly fitting is that his public persona, defined by impeccable manners, dry wit, and an appreciation for the finer things, aligns perfectly with the heightened world of Titanique. The show demands performers who can commit fully to its outrageous premise while maintaining razor-sharp comic timing, and Hanson's years of live broadcasting and public speaking suggest he has the performance skills to thrive.

The role of Ruth, while not the show's lead, offers plenty of opportunity for comedic flair and audience engagement, making it an ideal West End debut vehicle for a performer who is comfortable commanding attention but relatively new to the stage.

Should You Book?

If you've been meaning to see Titanique and haven't yet made the trip, William Hanson's limited six-week run provides the perfect excuse. His presence will undoubtedly add an extra dimension of entertainment for fans of his podcast and social media content, but the show itself remains the real star. Whether you're a devoted Céline Dion fan, a Titanic obsessive, or simply someone who enjoys laughing until your sides ache, this is one of the most consistently entertaining evenings in London.

With Hanson's run strictly limited to 9 June through 19 July, and the show's track record of selling strongly, early booking is strongly recommended. The Criterion Theatre is a relatively compact venue, and high-profile casting periods tend to sell quickly.

The extended booking to January 2027 means there's plenty of time to catch the show even after Hanson's departure, but those who want to see this particular configuration of talent should act fast.

Browse Titanique tickets on BritishTheatre.com, or explore our full range of West End musicals and London theatre shows currently booking.