Book, Music & Lyrics: Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Director: Christopher Ashley
The unlikeliest of source materials have provided the most fruitful works in musical theatre in the past decade: the wives of Henry VIII in Six, a founding father of the US in Hamilton and a teenage character in a Shakespeare tragedy in & Juliet. Come From Away, now on its first UK tour, has as its source, the consequences of the grounding of all flights in the aftermath of 9/11. As unlikely a premise as it is, it has proved to be a phenomenal word-wide success.
In the small community of Gander, Newfoundland 38 planes containing 7000 passengers are ordered to land in the wake of the events of September 11th 2001. The influx of people almost doubles the population of the sleepy town. While ill equipped to deal with everything thrown at them, the townspeople rally and provide food, shelter and comfort for these blow-ins and the 19 animals (including Bonobo chimps) who happen to be in the cargo holds.
On the tenth anniversary of the attacks, writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein travelled to the town to interview the residents and returning passengers. Many of these stories have been included directly in the text, while some amalgamated.
The musical charts the relationships made as the world comes to terms with the terrorist attacks. eventually honouring what was lost and “commemorating what we found”. It also explores the almost unrecorded perspective of those, while not directly involved in New York, have to live with the terror of the unknown as they are grounded thousands of miles from home, not knowing what was happening at Ground Zero.
For once the hype is real. Come From Away is a phenomenal celebration of humanity, how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, how we can overcome seemingly insurmountable problems with grace, generosity and humour when we have open hearts. The events in Gander having such a profound effect on these in-comers that their lives are forever changed. It is a wonderful love letter to Newfoundlanders.
The Celtic-inspired score drives the action along apace, it is both rousing and emotional and played gloriously by the on-stage band. The ensemble (and this is truly the finest example of an ensemble piece) soar as they sing as one. You would be hard-pressed to hear finer singing on any stage around the world.
While this is heavy subject matter, the lightness of touch and humour within the writing ensures the audience is fully invested in these well-drawn characters and their stories, and while humorous, it delivers the biggest emotional gut-punches throughout. I defy anyone not to be moved.
There are few shows that you can label unmissable, few you can call perfect but Come From Away is this and more. A genre-changing piece of work that needs to be seen by anyone who calls themselves a theatre lover.
Runs until 28 September 2024 | Image: Craig Sugden
The Reviews Hub Score
Perfect
