Come From Away

I was honoured and delighted to attend the opening night of the European Amateur Premiere of this musical telling of the heart warming story of how the small Newfoundland town of Gander welcomed and cared for an influx of 7000 air passengers who found themselves grounded there after the devastating terrorist attacks in New York on 11 September 2001 – more commonly known as simply 9/11. A cast of 39 took us on a gamut of emotions from disbelieve to despair to laughter and love from the foot stomping full company opening “Welcome to the Rock” to the rousing Finale. The audience were fully engaged throughout with both moments when you could have heard a pin drop to waves of laughter. Bekkah Davidson as Gander’s no nonsense, resourceful headteacher Beulah was excellent throughout as she mustered the townsfolk and her empathy with Andrea Thomson’s Hannah, the mother desperately looking for news of her New York firefighter son, was touching as was Andrea’s rendition of “I am Here”. Gregor Cameron’s portrayal of Claude, Gander’s (and other neighbouring towns) Mayor, was another strong performance adding humour as he narrated us through the story but especially in the Newfoundlander initiation scene. Katherine Taylor as airline pilot Beverley too gave a strong performance and her solo “Me and the Sky” in which she tells of her love of flying was well delivered. There are two love stories in the piece – one with a happy ending and one not so. Mallory Black and Martin Bell portrayed the burgeoning love between diffident English businessman Nick and Texan Housewife Diane with great sensitivity and their duet “Stop the World” was delightful. Scott Hector and Henry Bartholomew as the gay lovers Kevin T and Kevin J respectively, portrayed the gradual break up of their relationship very well showing how adversity can bring out the best in some but not in others. Scott’s lead in the number “Prayer”, an arrangement of “Let me be a channel of your peace”, was one of the highlights for me. Lewis Moggach as Police Officer Oz, among other characters, and Alicia Riddell as newly appointed TV reporter Janice flung into the deep end as the only one on site, were another two actors who gave sterling performances as did Elaine Bunce as Bonnie the SPCA worker. Strong support was given by David Gibbs-Smith (Bob), Mike Kempton (Air Traffic Controller Doug and Muslim Passenger), Peet Mickelson (Garth the trade unionist bus driver) and Louise Morrison (Annette the man mad librarian). The ensemble singing was outstanding and the sometimes complex choreography was impeccably carried out. The 8 piece onstage band handled the various styles of music, from foot stomping Country and Western to reflective ballad, with consummate ease and their finale “Screech Out” where they took centre stage had the audience clapping and stomping their feet along to the music. The staging was kept to a relatively simple box set with addition of a semi-circular extension to the stage bringing the action closer to the audience. Costuming was appropriate to the characters and the era. Congratulations to all at Aurora Productions for a truly professional standard production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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