The world’s first Hollywood film premiere aboard a transatlantic liner will see Hugh Jackman take on the iconic role of ‘The Greatest Showman’, P.T. Barnum. The musical also stars Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya.
The Greatest Showman Premiere
The stars of the movie will attend the historic premiere in the Royal Court Theatre on board the world’s only ocean liner Queen Mary 2, the flagship of the Cunard line, while she is docked in Brooklyn Harbour, New York.
Barnum co-founded the world-famous Barnum and Bailey Circus in the 1870s, having previously worked as an author, publisher, philanthropist and politician. He sailed multiple times on various Cunard ships between New York and England. His most notable voyage was in 1850 when he invited legendary opera singer Jenny Lind (the “Swedish Nightingale”) to come to America with him to be part of his show. They sailed into New York on Cunard’s Cambria with almost 40,000 fans greeting them at the docks.
Scenes from the movie were shot in the original U.S. headquarters of Cunard, a magnificent Italian Renaissance-style landmark building located at 25 Broadway in lower Manhattan. In addition, a number of scenes were shot in Brooklyn, Queen Mary 2’s U.S. homeport.
Following the premiere, the movie’s Emmy Award®-winning costume designer Ellen Mirojnick will sail on the Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, offering talks on her career and showcasing her designs from the movie while mingling with guests.
Cunard has a long history of hosting celebrities and exclusive events on their ships. Luminaries from Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth to Wes Anderson and Tilda Swinton have sailed with the line. Sting performed songs in Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre, Carly Simon filmed her “Moonlight Serenade” DVD on board, and Francis Ford Coppola sailed recently to work on his craft while at sea.