Phoenix Theatre – booking to 14 September
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
This emotional roller coaster of a musical that restores your faith in human nature has finally landed in the West End, and London is a brighter place with it here.
Come From Away tells the story of the remarkable response of the people of Gander, Newfoundland and its surrounding towns to the arrival of 7000 passengers diverted from American airspace on 9/11. Irene Sankoff and David Hein have managed to capture the welcoming atmosphere of the Newfoundlanders and create a heart wrenching but uplifting tribute to both those who helped and those who died that day. With a cast of 12 and a running time of 100 minutes, there’s a lot to fit in, and many stories that can’t be told, but this is a brilliantly paced show and Sankoff and Hein have chosen wisely when focusing on whose stories should be featured. The townsfolk are broadly but beautifully drawn, and the community’s acts of kindness and fellowship viewed through the lens of the city dwellers in their midst are true beacons of light in the darkness. The show follows two couples through their stay in Gander – one gay couple from Texas who react very differently to their stay in Gander, and the blossoming love between two strangers who only meet because of the situation. The confusion and panic of the passengers as they sit on the planes without news is palpable, and the tension is thankfully broken by the yells of passengers who have found the mini bottles of booze. The moment they find a TV and see footage of the morning of 9/11 is possibly one of the most powerful and moving things you will ever see on stage.
Amongst the celebration of humanity, the victims of the terror attacks are never forgotten, and the character of Hannah (Cat Simmons) is a stark reminder. As other passengers revel in the welcome, she sits by the phone, waiting for news of her son, a NY firefighter. Rachel Tucker’s impressive performance as pilot Beverley Bass reaches new heights as she sings “Me and the Sky” with the female members of the company, a wonderful number about Bass’s love of flying and her horror that a plane can be used as a weapon.
The musical numbers are a glorious mix of rollicking folk and sob-inducing ballads which will all make you want to leap to your feet and make the whole show one long standing ovation. The cast are all brilliant, and believable as they slip between characters – you’ll want to jump on stage for the Screech In to become a Newfoundlander as well!
I’ve seen a lot of standing ovations, but after this show it was something different – tears, whoops and hugs all round as this incredible show reminds us that there is goodness and love in these uncertain times. A brilliant, beautiful show – GET A TICKET NOW.