**** Recommended The uber-talented Leslie Goddard has returned to Theatre at the Center for another of her one-woman shows, Violet Jessup – Titanic Survivor. In our celebrity-obsessed society, it seems most of the stories are about the wealthy and/or famous people who survived or didn’t survive the sinking. This story is different and fascinating, since it’s from the perspective of a crew member. Hurry and grab a ticket, you only have a couple of days to catch Violet Jessup! 4 Spotlights
Violet Jessup started her career as a cabin steward on the White Line’s first luxury liner, Olympic. When she joined the line, they sent her to a specific shop to be fitted for her ‘uniform’, a long black dress, white pinafore and white pleated cap.
After several voyages, several crew members, including Violet, were transferred to Olympic’s sister ship, Titanic. Although they were sister ships, Violet said that White Line had made improvements to Titanic, including things like more elegant china, more luxurious appointments and even a grand staircase. She said the crew even had cabins instead of a dormitory!
As Violet walked back and forth on stage, she climbed a stairway covered in red carpet, climbed a ship’s ladder, drank a cup of tea in her cabin, all the while describing her work on board ship. She described some of the passengers, even curtsied before answering their demands.
One night, Violet heard a horrible screeching noise followed soon after by silence – the ship’s engines were stopped. She was instructed to see that her passengers put on their cork-lined life jackets and go to the lifeboats. Up on deck, an officer thrust a baby into her arms, telling her to get into the lifeboat.
Her next assignment from the White Line was the Britannic, a sister ship to the Titanic and Olympic. Before they could sail, war was declared and the military seized the ship which was converted into a hospital ship. When that ship hit a mine, Violet once again found herself in a lifeboat.
Leslie Goddard is a historian, author, actress and lecturer who does extensive research into the characters she plays, as we saw in last year’s show, The Mystery of Amelia Earhart. She stays in character even in a Q and A, at least until she takes off the headpiece! As Leslie, she said when she learned Violet Jessup had written a memoir – which she couldn’t get published until the movie came out – she started writing and rehearsing this show.
Violet Jessup – Titanic Survivor runs through March 30th at Theatre at the Center, the Center for Visual & Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Parking is free. Running time is about 80 minutes with an intermission. Remaining performances are Friday, March 28th and Saturday, March 29th at 2:00 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, March 30th at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $40. FYI (219) 836-3255 Ext 1 or https://www.theatreatthecenter.com/on-stage/2025/violet-jessop