Curve Theatre Leicester – until 9th March 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Come From Away is a profoundly touching, deeply thought-provoking and rather lovely musical. Based on events which occurred in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11th attacks, it follows what unfolded when 38 planes, carrying approximately 7,000 passengers, were ordered to land unexpectedly in the towns Airport. At the height of confusion, anger, and fear… compassion, kindness and unconditional generosity shone through when two worlds collided. The characters are based on actual Gander residents and stranded travelers they housed and fed.
A terrorist attack does not initially strike one as a theme for a musical, but it’s the humanity and humility, shared love and care, and the triumph of good over evil that is celebrated here with gusto. Christopher Ashley’s direction doesn’t shy away from describing the darkness of attacks and loss, but we are not left there for long before we are roused by humour and the reminder that life endures. We see a mix of people from different backgrounds with different stories, cultures, and experiences, some with hostility, one who felt he had to hide his identity. But still finding connection in the community either through food or religion or a joke or romance or something that connects us as human beings. Come From Away is peppered with stories from real people and it dispensed with an interval to build-up tension and emotion and enables us to follow the journey of all involved, we are all in it together.
Beowulf Boritt frames the stage with lofty pines, wood panels, signs that light up to offer different locations. Alongside Kelly Devine’s wonderful musical staging the deceptively simple set is brought to life. Tables become coffee shops, offices etc. but the chairs are like characters in themselves. They dance seamlessly across the stage, with the aid of the cast, becoming a plane, an air traffic control tower, a barbecue, a mountain range, a bar and many many things. Howell Binkley’s spectacular lighting design adds layers to the production. Using spotlights to create the illusion of a control tower, illuminating individuals as they tell their stories, and subtly switching from light to dark, shadow to warmth depending on the emotions needed to be conveyed. Andrew Corcoran’s musical direction is rousing and rhythmic. It was lovely to have the band come on to the stage at the end and play a reprise for us.
The cast are mind-blowingly talented, depicting numerous characters and nationalities without missing a beat nor resorting to cliché. They executed their movements almost as a second breath, with fluid precision, pulling a hat from here, a pair of glasses from there to become a different character and embodying them completely. Playing both ‘Plane People’ and ‘Islanders’, they balanced the two emotions and story arcs perfectly.
An inspirational and uplifting show, Come From Away combines a sublime score, endearing characters, and a real-life story of love and kindness, overcoming even the most harrowing of events that will truly melt your hear