Come From Away

I was honoured and have to add, somewhat excited to attend my first amateur performance of one of my absolute favourite musicals, Come from Away.

For those that have never seen the production it’s challenging to explain how the twelve talented actors can seamlessly morph into so many different roles by changing just a hat, jacket, accent or body stance in order to tell the true story of events that happened in the Newfoundland town of Gander. Following the worst act of humankind in September 2001 The story is told in a way to take you on an emotional rollercoaster, an inclusive journey, without an interval, with only one maybe two opportunities for applause, whilst completely captivating the audience.

The highest accolade must go to director Nicky Main who along with Musical director James Harragan created this wonderful complex piece of theatre. Their clear vision and attention to detail ensured that every member of the cast knew and understood their role within the whole piece.  There was not an unplanned move, every gesture, every head turn, every chair or table move had purpose.  Any props that were used were seamlessly included in the dialogue. Resulting in a truly stunning piece of theatre.

The set design was as I expected relatively minimalist design but was extremely effective. The back wall comprised of horizontal wooden slats of on the back wall with the band carefully positioned upstage right (slightly obscured yet could still be seen). The scenes were set using just a selection of different chairs and clever tables with tops that lifted and concealed a few prop items. The scene changes were seamless the ‘chorography’ used by the cast must have taken many hours to perfect to such a professional level. The sense of place created by the various positioning of these items took us to an airplane, school hall, bar, religious institutions, outdoor vistas and even a bus. Some additional props were added into the moves. Effective, understated lighting marked each scene change, thanks to Harry Guest’s thoughtful design and operation, which ensured seamless transitions between settings.

Vocal projection was strong in both solo and ensemble songs, with precise harmonies, clear emotion, and well-managed tension. The five-piece band skilfully led by James Harragan, performed the vibrant high energy folk – rock score heavily influenced by traditional Newfoundland Celtic and Irish folk music.

Come from Away isn’t a typical musical with flashy dance routines, but some numbers included choreography. I totally appreciated that your version was original rather than an imitation. The costumes were thoughtfully selected to reflect the everyday lives of the characters.

Sitting in the front row, we were instantly drawn in as the lights dimmed and the cast launched into a dynamic performance of ‘Welcome to the Rock’, setting the tone for the night.

I’d like to talk about the amazing cast, order as listed in the programme -

I've watched the professional production multiple times, and I often find myself drawn to certain characters. This time it was Emily Collins who stood out for me with her excellent portrayal of Bonnie, the SPCA worker, skilfully expressing frustration when others dismissed her concerns about animals possibly being in the stranded planes. She prioritised the welfare of the animals above all else. Despite established regulations, she actually identified nineteen animals requiring her help, including two rare Bonobo chimpanzees and all this was done with what i can describe as a really likeable, bubbly characterisation, with urgency, not panic. I think I must have had something in my eye when the moment came for her to say goodbye to Unga, Ralph and Lyle.

Beulah, the headteacher at The Gander Academy, took charge of managing the coordination of personnel and resources to ensure that approximately 700 unexpected arrivals in Gander were properly cared for. The townsfolk literally opening their doors to the stranded passengers. Portrayed by Sue Morris, she demonstrated sincere empathy and support to Hannah, one of the ‘Plane People’ who was concerned about her son's whereabouts. This relationship evolved into a meaningful friendship marked by both challenges and positive moments.

Charlotte Gibbons as Janice was literally thrown in at the deep end, she was new to Gander, very eager to prove her abilities as a TV reporter, finding herself co-ordinating the issues that arose. Charlotte progressed from a beginner reporter to a self-assured journalist, serving as the central figure who maintained the narrative by sharing how the generosity and encouragement of Gander's community changed the perspectives of the unexpected guests.

Karen Welsh captured Beverley well, showing her emotional range and professionalism as an American Airlines captain handling a colleague's loss, passengers, and a grounded plane. She also portrayed Beverley's resilience in family conversations with her husband Tom about their children. Her portrayal of Annette was amusing, especially her humorous infatuation with Captain Bristol, which had the audience laughing out loud.

Diane, played by Ruth MacCallum as a nervous divorcée from Texas, worries her son might have been on a flight during the attack. After discovering he is unharmed, she adopts a more adventurous and relaxed approach to life. During the journey, she forms a bond with Nick (mentioned below). Their mutual compatibility evolves throughout numerous situations characterised by both awkwardness and playfulness. 'Stop the World' proved to be a thoughtful and emotive love song that articulated expectations within the context of a caring relationship. I enjoyed seeing this developing during ‘Screech Inn’

Danielle Burrows played Hannah, a mother desperate to locate the whereabouts of her son Kevin who is a firefighter back home in New York.  She skilfully balanced vulnerability and strength, guiding the audience to the inevitable conclusion that he had in fact, gone. Her acting and vocals were excellent.

John Tweddle portrayed Claude, Gander's well-liked mayor, as approachable, confident, and compassionate. Though accustomed to solving local problems, the unprecedented situation challenged him. He handled it with determination, creativity, and calm persuasion. From his sonorous opening words to his final monologue his performance was just perfect.

Oz half of Gander’s police force was well depicted by Jamie Sheerman, he took his duties seriously especially when motorists were speeding.  He had a down to earth, friendly manner and was prepared to help in any way he could as his numerous trips to Shoppers demonstrated until the final request by Beulah left him dumbfounded. I loved his portrayal of Gym Teacher Mr Michaels who apparently speaks Spanish.

Kevin T, played by Kevin Wing, was traveling with his boyfriend Kevin J, portrayed by Ian Meikle, when they were stranded in Gander. At first, they were cautious about how the locals would react to a gay couple. He was unhappy about the situation they found themselves in and really couldn’t understand why his boyfriend was reacting like he did to certain issues. Ian also played Ali, handled Islamophobia and suspicion from passengers and authorities with composure and generosity. Once again, I felt like something was in my eye when I heard him talk about the body search, he experienced. His composed attitude in the midst of such difficulties showcased his adaptability, particularly evident when he transforms entirely for the role of Kevin J. 

Bob was played well by Ralph Toppin, who initially harboured suspicion toward those around him, concerned about the possibility of theft or personal harm. However, after being welcomed by the mayor of Appleton the New Yorker gradually relinquished his scepticism resulting in him (as in the wording of the song) passing a hat for the people who gave up their time, and they gave up their Town. You found your heart but left a part of you behind!

Nick, a reserved and courteous English oil engineer, prioritises his work and travels frequently. On his way to a US conference, he was rerouted to Gander. Portrayed by Craig Shelton, the character experiences significant challenges when interacting with unfamiliar individuals, particularly women. His cautious engagement with Diane during their flight is marked by hesitancy, further complicated by his incorrect assumption that she is married. Their bond was touching. He also portrayed Bonnie’s husband Doug as a compassionate and caring figure.

Come from Away featured twelve cast members effortlessly portraying numerous characters far too many to mention individually. The piece’s humour and themes often stem from prejudices related to religion, race, or conflict-driven anxieties. As anticipated, the production featured numerous poignant moments, balanced by some uplifting scenes. The vocal performances were consistently outstanding, and the ensemble excelled in numbers such as 'Welcome to the Rock', 'Screech In', and 'Prayer'. The audience’s enthusiastic response was well earned. The cast and production team demonstrated their talents by combining individual skills to create a remarkable story. The performance was both exceptional and unforgettable.

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