Come From Away

Anyone old enough to remember seeing the television news pictures of two hi-jacked airliners being flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre on September 11th 2001 will never forget the sense of disbelief and horror at what happened that day. All American airspace was immediately closed, and planes still in the air were diverted and ordered to land at the nearest airport. Thirty eight wide-bodied airliners were routed to the remote Gander International Airport, in Newfoundland, Canada, where the residents of the nearby town (population 10,000) rallied together under the leadership of their mayor to help the 7000 stranded passengers and crew, offering them hospitality and accommodation until the skies re-opened five days later.

And that is the story behind 'Come From Away', the big-hearted musical, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, which opened on Broadway in 2017 (where it received no less than 7 Tony Award nominations), and also ran at the Phoenix Theatre in the London West End from 2019-2023. The show's 2024 tour of the UK and Ireland began in Leeds in May, and is now playing at Norwich Theatre Royal for the next two weeks.

The stage is sparsely furnished with just an assortment of wooden chairs and tables, but against a simple timber backdrop, the cast and their props transform it, with the help of clever lighting design from Howell Binkley, from an aircraft cabin to an airport terminal, and from a spartan community hall to cosy Canadian bar and diner. The eight-piece live band includes the full range of traditional instruments – whistles, flutes and pipes, fiddle and violin, bodhran and drums, harmonium and accordion, as well as guitars, keyboards and percussion. The result is a rousing Celtic celebration of hospitality and humanity, which includes the rhythmic and percussive ‘On The Edge’ and ‘Screech In’, each performed by the entire company, and influenced by the culture of Irish migrant settlers who arrived on the island in the 18th century to work in the fishing industry. It is during one such social event at the local bar that the bemused passengers are invited to 'kiss the cod', the old Newfoundland tradition that is extended to visiting strangers.

With its diverse cast of twelve actors, all of whom play more than one character, and the talented live band directed by Andrew Corcoran, this 110 minute one-act show is big-hearted, generous, joyous and at times deeply moving. It captures on stage the amazing sense of community and togetherness that emerged in Gander during those five tumultuous days and nights back in September 2001. Friendships formed, and bonds were forged, some of which might last a lifetime. All the cast are excellent, but special mention is deserved for Sara Poyzer, who plays Captain Beverley Bass, the first ever female pilot to captain an American Airways flight, and whose inspirationally charged ‘Me And The Sky’ is the evening’s absolute show-stopper. Heart warming performances, too, from Daniel Crowder as British businessman Nick Marson, and Kirsty Hoiles as Texan divorcee Diane Gray, who meet and fall in love during the space of those incredible five days and nights. Their ‘Stop The World’ becomes another heart-melting moment.

Rousing musical numbers, strong character performances from every one of the ensemble cast, and the tremendous sense of warmth, friendship and humanity that this story delivers, make ‘Come From Away’ the feel-good musical that you will want to see over and over and again.

‘Come From Away’ is at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday October 26th. Book tickets at www.norwichtheatre.org, or in person at the theatre box office.