Come From Away
Phoenix Theatre, London
★★★★★
Tuesday, September 11 2001 is a day we will never forget, no matter where in the world you call home. The stories that emerged following the events of that day showed that hope can exist even in the worst of times, and none more so than the story that came out of a little town called Gander in Newfoundland, Canada.
Come From Away is based on that story, as the residents of Gander found themselves offering hospitality, food, and most of all friendship, to nearly 7,000 people who were diverted to the town on one of 38 planes when American airspace was closed.
The company consists of only twelve actors, all playing multiple roles. This is a feat in itself – each character is portrayed with so much commitment and individuality that it’s amazing to think that the same actor was playing someone else just a minute before. Characters include the town residents and passengers and crew on the planes, all with their own stories to tell. The talented band also join the cast on stage.
The show is simple. There are no set changes – chairs set the scene in different locations, and there are no costume changes – the actor will switch between characters just by removing or adding an item of clothing. The show only lasts 90 minutes with no interval.
It’s difficult to describe the impact of the show. The action is fast paced, and the cast just don’t stop – there’s barely even room to applaud most of the numbers.
You can really feel the emotion onstage, particularly as characters find love and friendship in times of trouble, and when a Muslim passenger is singled out because of his religion. However the show isn’t lacking in humour either with witty comedic moments throughout.
The shows creators, Irene Sankoff and David Hein, visited Gander to attend the 10th anniversary commemoration of the crisis and met many of those who had been diverted to Gander as well as the locals who embraced them in their time of need. These stories have inspired an incredibly emotive and uplifting musical that I think everyone needs to see.
You can catch Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre, currently booking until February 2020.
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