Titanique musical premieres in Breda amid controversy

The musical Titanique, a parody of the Titanic featuring music by Céline Dion, has premiered at the Chassé Theater in Breda. Produced by De Graaf en Cornelissen, the production is a non-replica version, meaning the creative team has developed its own unique direction, choreography, and design rather than following a specific existing staging.

However, the premiere is facing controversy following reports regarding musical director Billy Maluw. Maluw was convicted in April 2024 for sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old piano student. The victim has spoken out about the psychological impact of the events, and critics have questioned the decision by producers to re-employ Maluw following his conviction. Producer Hans Cornelissen stated that after a year of not using Maluw's services following the conviction, the production has returned to working with him to their satisfaction.