Come From Away is a true story of heartbreak and humanity, told through humour and multirole performances, making the audience fall in love with every character on stage. Having seen the show before, it still packs a hard punch, I can honestly say this production has earned its place as one of my favourite shows this year, right alongside Two Strangers. Filled to the brim with heart and unforgettable original songs, every element of this musical contributes to the fantastic storytelling that unfolds before your eyes.
Set against the unforgettable backdrop of September 11, 2001, the musical transports the audience to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which became an unexpected safe haven for 38 planes forced to land in the chaos. The town’s population nearly doubled overnight as 7,000 strangers descended upon it, and the locals immediately sprang into action to make the passengers feel safe and welcome. The story weaves together love, friendship, and heartbreak, and if you had told me the premise beforehand, I would have thought “No way could that be a musical!” But having seen it — and regularly listen to the soundtrack — I can say with confidence, it’s one of the most unique and interesting stories ever told on stage.
The Juxtaposition of endearing comedy and heart-wrenching moments is beautifully executed by the talented cast. But the real magic lies in the Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, which serve as the crown jewel of this musical. From the first drum hit go the opening number, “Welcome to the Rock,” the audience is hooked. The full ensemble delivers what is essentially a powerful musical prologue , setting the tone for a production that grips you from start to finish. My personal favourite song? “Me and The Sky,” Performed by Pilot Beverly, portrayed by the incredibly charismatic Sara Poyzer. The line, “The one thing I loved more than anything was used as the bomb,” Leaves a lump in my throat every time, and Poyzer delivers it with stunning emotion and power.
This is a true ensemble piece, and the cast works seamlessly together. Each performer is an essential cog in this musical machine, contributing equally to the show’s success. Special mentions go to Jamal Zulfiqar, Natasha J Barnes, Rosie Glossop, and Amanda Henderson whose impeccable comic timing and characterisations had the audience in stitches. Daniel Cane and Angeline Bell, both standby actors, added a beautiful romantic B-story, while Nicholas Pound and Oliver Jacobson served as masterful narrators. And of course, Bree Smith and Sara Poyzer had the entire house in tears. Every single cast member was outstanding, and they all earned that well-deserved standing ovation.
One of the most striking aspects of this production is its focus on the story. The set, designed by Beowulf Boritt, is deceptively simple — an arrangement of mismatched wooden chairs and tables — yet it is used to brilliant effect, seamlessly transforming from bus to plane to bar through the power of suggestion. Howell Binkley’s lighting design makes full use of the wood-slat backdrop, using colour and shadows to evoke powerful emotions throughout. The quick changes between characters, all done in front of the audience’s eyes, are so effective, and the simple costume design by Toni-Leslie James is a feat of theatrical wizardry that would make Brecht himself proud.
From the live band to the incredible story and everything in between, this musical checks every box. While reviews are meant to inform and inspire, I’ll be blunt: just buy a ticket and go see it. Whatever your tastes in theatre, Come From Away is a production that you’ll absolutely love.
Come From Away is currently on a UK-wide tour, running until January 5th, 2025. You can find tickets at: https://comefromawaylondon.co.uk/tour-dates/
Comments