Come From Away – The Lowry

Come From Away, is uplifting and heartwarming and now playing at The Lowry in Salford, the show takes audiences on a remarkable journey through the emotional and transformative events surrounding 9/11. Set in the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, the show tells the true story of how the residents opened their hearts and homes to 7,000 stranded airline passengers and crew after their flights were grounded due to the terrorist attacks.

From the moment the show begins, the energy is infectious. The ensemble cast, which is central to the musical’s success, effortlessly shifts between multiple characters, portraying both the bewildered passengers and the compassionate townspeople. The seamless transitions highlight the remarkable storytelling of Come From Away, where each cast member plays several roles, providing a sense of unity and connection across different cultures and backgrounds.

There are no leading ladies or men in this show. Natasha J Barnes, Daniel Crowder, Mark Dugdale, Rosie Glossop, Amanda Henderson, Kirsty Hoiles, Oliver Jacobson, Dale Mathurin, Nicolas Pound, Sara Poyzer, Bree Smith and Jamal Zulfiqar are equal and work tirelessly throughout this 100-minute masterpiece.

The set, minimalist yet effective, plays a crucial role in bringing the story to life. A simple, backdrop and 13 chairs are used creatively to suggest the various locations, airports, buses, homes, while some of the best lighting I have ever seen in theatre designed by Howell Binkley captures the disorienting nature of the events.

One of the standout features of Come From Away is its score, composed by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The music blends folk, rock, and traditional musical theatre styles to capture both the intimacy and intensity of the story. Songs like “Welcome to the Rock,” “I Am Here,” and “Me and the Sky” are filled with energy, humour, and poignancy, with harmonies that unite the cast and draw the audience into the emotional heart of the story.

The cast’s performance is exceptional. They portray characters with warmth and authenticity that you can’t help but feel deeply invested in their journey.  The balance between humour and pathos is handled beautifully, with moments of levity never undermining the gravity of the situation.

What is especially striking about Come From Away is its message of kindness, community, and resilience. In a world that often seems ever more divided, the show serves as a reminder that in times of crisis, human connection can shine through in the most unexpected ways. The residents of Gander offered their homes, food, and hearts to strangers without hesitation, creating an atmosphere of solidarity that feels even more urgent today as it did back in 2001.

The musical also touches on the personal stories of the passengers, making them relatable and real rather than just a statistic. It shows the diversity of humanity, from the Muslim passengers who face suspicion to the couples whose relationships are tested, yet it ultimately celebrates the commonality of the human experience.

I must also the band playing in the wings, albeit in sight they are given their time to shine in the spotlight on a number of occasions including the rousing post bows closing piece. They are not just musicians, but members of the cast.

Tonight, the official opening night of the final venue of this current tour (I say current because this show will tour and tour to full houses for years to come) the producers had flown the real islanders on which the story is based over to Salford and brought them onto the stage at the conclusion of the show. To see them united with the actors who portrayed them on stage just moments earlier was so much more moving and emotional than I could ever have imagined. A truly special moment that will live long in my theatrical memory bank for many, many years to come.

It is difficult to heap more praise on this show than it has already garnered since its first performance in 2015. After reading quotes from reviews over the years, I cannot find a better one than a fellow North West End UK reviewer wrote when reviewing the show at a previous venue, “five stars are simply not enough”.

Come From Away continues at The Lowry until the 5th January 2025. If you can find a ticket, do not hesitate to snap it up. The feeling of warmth and joy you feel when leaving the theatre is truly priceless. https://thelowry.com/whats-on/117//come-from-away

Reviewer: Paul Downham

Reviewed: 4th December 2024

North West End UK Rating: