From its first thumping, stomping almost tribal driving rhythms at the top of the show “Come From Away” sets out its stall clearly and emphatically not giving an inch and not compromising on its passionate message.
As we probably all know by now, the show tells the tale of the little town of Gander in Northeastern Newfoundland, which threw open its doors and hearts to 7000 passengers who found themselves diverted from US air space on that notorious date September 11th 2001. Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s book, music and lyrics summarises the event and epitomise the humanity with panache, respect, dignity and kindness. 38 planes landed unexpectedly in Gander and everyone had to be accommodated. And they were as the entire community came together to help, support and care for hundreds of dispossessed strangers.
The show opened in Seattle in 2015 and has toured the world non-stop ever since. It’s almost impossible to put into words the vast wave of goodness the people of Gander offered and, it’s almost as impossible, to summarise the musical which celebrates it. At its heart is a wholesome bunch of good people struggling to help other good people and through the metaphor of the show, the music, the play it’s not difficult to see Gander as our planet with its mix of lost and found souls. The show weaves an intricate tapestry of relationships, cultures and ages into a fantastic matrix which intrigues, beguiles and enchants. It’s presentation of the human soul under adverse conditions, succeeding against almost insurmountable odds, that’s the core to the beautiful show.
It’s a true ensemble piece with actors doubling, tripling and quadrupling on roles and truly inhabiting their characters and their experiences. Mark Dugdale, Jamal Zulfiqar, Kirsty Hoiles and Bree Smith are just a few of the stand-out performers who make this an astounding piece of theatre. It does what theatre does as its zenith and reflects us back to us and shows us who we truly are and, on this occasion, we found ourselves to be good, kind and generous people with open arms, open minds and open hearts.
As a fundamental and vital election looms on the horizon for the country hit hardest by the attacks it cannot have been lost on a lot of the audience what a salutary reminder this is of what good people can do when faced with the behaviour of bad people and how a unified community can overcome just about any obstacle put before it.
Reviewer: Peter Kinnock
Reviewed: 5th November 2024
North West End UK Rating: