Come From Away – Simply Stunning Theatre

If you don’t come from Newfoundland in Canada, then you ‘come from away’. In the hours following the attack on America on 9/11, 38 planes carrying 7,000 people who ‘come from away’ descended on the tiny town of Gander, and its surrounding towns as a no fly zone was imposed over the USA. ‘Come From Away‘ is a musical dedicated to telling some of the stories of what happened over the next five days, to both the inhabitants of Gander, and the people who were forced, due to the most horrific events, to stay there. This is a story of friendships and the bonds that can developed, of the goodwill of the people of Gander, and how we can face the most difficult of adversity and heartbreak. It is an astounding piece of life affirming theatre that, once watched, is never forgotten.

‘Come From Away’ has an ensemble cast who perform many roles both as the travellers and the townsfolk, and yet it is never confusing and each role is clearly defined. Each member of the cast is wonderful, from the salty town Mayor (Nicholas Pound) to the two Kevin’s (Jamal Zulfiqar and Mark Dugdale), and the romantic couple Nick and Diane (Daniel Crowder and Kirsty Hoiles). At the heart of the story are the big hearted Beulah (Amanda Henderson) and Hannah (Bree Smith), who bond as both are mothers of firefighters, with Hannah’s son being a New York Fireman who was on duty that day. Their developing friendship is beautifully handled by both, and had my tears flowing by the end.

Come from Away has no intervals, so you become fully absorbed in the story. The depth of the story is clear and understandable, but what is surprising is the warmth of the humour, particularly in the scene where the passengers are basically taken to get drunk at the local bar, and some join in a ritual game to become Newfoundlanders, which includes kissing a cod. It is a lovely scene, warm, and funny, perfectly showing the depths of friendship that have developed between the locals and the visitors. The fact that this is based on a true story, and real people just adds to the level of poignancy that you feel throughout, but the fact this is never cloying or maudlin is a testament to the beauty and power of the writing of Irene Sankoff and David Nein.

The songs are wonderful, many feeling like sea shanties with a distinctly Irish feel, and the use of a live band on stage makes this feel very upbeat and positive. Come From Away claims to be the musical that welcomes the world. All I can say is ‘what a welcome, what a welcome, you’ll never want to leave.’

Come From Away is at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Sat 9th November. Ticket information here.

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