Just two days into the Ripon Theatre Festival, it's clear this brilliant celebration of performance has cracked the code – short, sharp, absolutely stunning shows that grab you by the collar and don't let go.

After last night's sensational opener, audiences were treated to something truly special with Russell Lucas's extraordinary one-man tour de force, Third Class. This isn't just theatre – it's theatrical magic that left a packed house at Ripon Arts Hub completely spellbound.

Edward Dorking, a fascinating real-life character whose story deserves widespread recognition, is brought to life by Lucas. Dorking, an openly gay survivor of the Titanic, was sent to America on that fateful voyage in April 1912 by his parents, who were desperate to "cure" him. What followed was a tale of survival, revenge, and raw human determination that had the audience hanging on every word.

The genius of Lucas's performance lies in how he transforms this intimate studio space into the doomed liner itself. Armed with nothing more than a hat, a rope, and some absolutely brilliant videography, he conjures up the entire disaster with heart-stopping authenticity. The countdown from 1517 deaths to zero is pure theatrical brilliance – a device so simple yet so effective it sends shivers down your spine.

But this isn't just about the sinking. Lucas masterfully weaves Dorking's post-disaster journey through America's Vaudeville circuit, where he performed his survival story for audiences hungry for firsthand accounts. The twist? Dorking wasn't seeking fame – he wanted justice for the forgotten third-class passengers who bore the brunt of that night's tragedy while society obsessed over millionaire casualties.

The multimedia elements are exceptional. Courtroom scenes where Lucas fires questions with responses flashing on screen create an almost cinematic experience, while carefully chosen photographs give both performer and audience crucial breathing space to absorb the emotional weight of the story.

The most powerful moment occurs when Lucas brings the tale into the present day with material that represents generic submarine visits to the wreck, and the voiceover is Lucas talking.

The text is a nod to Robert Ballard who found the Titanic in 1986, and William Tantum who wanted to find it:
Roger that, control.
Aha!
Yes!
Jackpot.
Let me just zoom in.
Got it.

In memory of those souls who perished with the Titanic April 15th 1912.

Dedicated to William Tantum whose dream to find the Titanic has been realised by Dr. Robert Ballard 1986.

What elevates this performance from great to absolutely unmissable is Lucas himself during the post-show Q&A, which serves as a masterclass in theatrical passion and research. His discovery of Dorking's story, his commitment to representing the underclass rather than exploiting sexuality for dramatic effect, and the serendipitous moment when he realised he and Dorking both lived in Rotherhithe – it all adds layers of authenticity that make the performance even more compelling.

Lucas has created something genuinely special here – a piece that resonates long after the final bow. Dorking emerges as a loveable rascal whose quest for justice feels both historical and utterly contemporary.

Like yesterday's triumph The Beloved Son, the production is thought-provoking theatre at its absolute finest. The Ripon Theatre Festival is rapidly establishing itself as the must-see event of the year – and on this evidence, it thoroughly deserves every penny of its Arts Council funding.

Don't miss this festival. It's becoming something truly extraordinary.


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