Original London cast of Come From Away Photo Credit: Matt Murphy
Creating a musical based on the shocking events of 9/11 was a bold and brave decision. Set in the week following the attacks Come From Away tells the story of the 7,000 people stranded in the small Newfoundland town of Gander at the height of the tragedy. As American airspace was locked down, 38 planes were forced to divert unexpectedly with the passengers unaware of what was unfolding in New York. Come From Away is the true story of how the inhabitants of Gander opened their homes and their hearts to those stranded so very far from home. Come From Away is a poignant and emotional journey showcasing that despite humanity’s capacity to do great harm, hate and evil is far outweighed by compassion, empathy and an overwhelming desire to protect our fellow man.
Come From Away’s book, music and lyrics are a collaboration between husband and wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff. In 2011 (ten years after the tragedy), the pair spent a month in Gander and the surrounding area meeting with the locals to learn more about the now unbreakable bond that the town shares with the ‘plane people’. The people they met and subsequent stories they heard were moulded and developed into a 100-minute musical, with a small cast of 12 actors.
Nominated for a plethora of Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Come From Away and director Christopher Ashley scooped the award for Best Direction in a Musical.
After conceptualisation, the production was work-shopped in 2012, the show went on to enjoy record-breaking runs in California and the Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2015. Come From Away opened on Broadway in March 2017 fast becoming a critically acclaimed, box office hit. In February it transferred to the United Kingdom, opening first at The Abbey Theatre, Dublin before transferring to the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End where it began previews on 30 January 2019, officially opening 18th February.
Come From Away is perhaps the finest example of ensemble theatre currently gracing London’s West End. It cannot be underestimated just how hard these actors work. Not only do they play multiple characters, switching seamlessly from Islanders to plane people, but the characters are also diverse and extremely layered. The cast never leave the stage, this is an extremely fast-paced musical where the action doesn’t stop, not even for a moment. The level of talent and energy required to keep up this momentum and switch so readily between characters is astonishing.
Wicked alumni, Rachel Tucker takes up the role of the inspirational Beverley Bass, the first female captain of an American Airlines aircraft who has a fascinating backstory of her own and is a role model to young girls everywhere. Tucker wows in her solo Me and the Sky and it is easy to see why she has been such a stalwart of the West End over the years. She perfectly embodies Beverley, bringing raw emotion and a heartfelt sincerity to the role and she should be incredibly proud of her interpretation.
Jonathan Hume is a revelation as Kevin J, but it is when he takes on the character of Ali that he truly shines. Eyed with suspicion by his fellow passengers, the early foreshadows of Islamophobia are clearly visible. Hume could not be portraying two more different characters and his performance is as astonishing as it is refined.
Robert Hands and Helen Hobson are charming as the bumbling Englishman Nick and timid Diane, the couple whose story is perhaps the most heart-warming of all.
Jenna Boyd and Cat Simmons are outstanding in their roles as kindred spirits Beulah and Hannah respectively. Simmons single-handledly provides a heart-breaking portrayal of a mother to a first responder desperate to hear news of her son’s safety. Hannah’s pain is palpable and the development of friendship with Beulah is beautiful and one of the most poignant in the show.
Singling out individual performances is almost unfair, all members of this cast bring so much to this production Nathanael Campbell, Clive Carter, Mary Doherty, Harry Morrison, Emma Salvo, David Shannon and all the standby cast deserve huge plaudits for the beautiful creation they have helped to cultivate and the West End is so much the richer for having this production in residence.
The staging is very simple, despite a few chairs, switched round to depict the plane, a canteen, a bar and some simple costumes, it is very much down to the cast to bring this piece to life. The music is a Celtic/folk hybrid which is as toe-tapping as it is infectious.
The musical begins with a thumping introduction to the Newfoundlanders Welcome to the Rock which sets the tone beautifully. It is so refreshing to see the band immersed with the cast, and Musical Director Alan Berry should be congratulated for leading such wonderful and accomplished musicians to not only to compliment the cast but to create such an authentic ambience. Screech In is a wonderful, light-hearted number that truly immerses the band in the action and offers some light relief to proceedings as the plane people are initiated as honorary Newfoundlanders which involves some rough Jamaican rum and a codfish.
Come From Away depicts perhaps the most extremes of humanity, relationships flourish and flounder, unbreakable bonds are forged and memories made that will never be forgotten.
The billboards for this show are absolutely correct – Come From Away is the musical the world needs now. Uplifting, inspiring and filled with heart, this production showcases the very best qualities that humanity has to offer. In a polarised world where violence, political unrest and intolerance are all to commonplace, this story of 38 planes, 19 animals, 7,000 strays and one extraordinary town gives us all hope that things might just turn out ok in the end.
