Come From Away

Come from Away

WWDN

Make North Docks Liverpool

4/5/26

 

The creators of ‘Come from Away’ Irene Sancoff & David Hein have stated that this is not a September 11th story, it is rather a September 12th story. A story of the best people has to offer each other, and a reminder that we are all capable of doing good for each other, especially in the darkest of times. On the morning of September 11, 2001, US airspace was closed in the wake of the World Trade Centre attacks. Thousands of planes were ordered to land immediately. Gander International Airport, Newfoundland Canada, which was once a major refuelling hub for transatlantic flights, received 38 diverted airplanes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers and crew from all over the world

The residents of Gander and surrounding towns rallied together, immediately stepping up to provide food, shelter, clothing, medication, and comfort to the stranded travellers (referred to locally as (" The Come from Aways"). Locals converted schools, churches, and community halls into temporary housing, and eventually opened their own homes to complete strangers.

What we did Next, actors tell the story of both the Islanders and the Plane People, revealing the fear and uncertainty that came with the terrorist attacks. As well as the profound generosity and compassion of strangers. While some characters and stories are an amalgamation of several people and experiences, others are grounded in true people, such as Captain Beverly Bass, (Sarah Mullis) the first female captain for American Airlines; Kevin Tuerff (Ben Wallace) and Kevin Jung (Omar Hussein), the couple from L.A.; Bob ( Daniel Rogers) Hannah (Pamela Devereux ) and Nick (James Freedman) and Diane (Sarah-Jane Aston), the couple who met in Gander. Then we have the Gander Islanders, Claude (Alex Firth-Clark) the Major of Gander, OZ (Jack Owens) Ganders police officer, Emma Ray (Beulah) Janice (Roz Gibson) and Bonnie (Holly Lawless).

Come From Away is a remarkable musical that relies on the strength of its ensemble, and this production rose magnificently to the challenge. From the opening moments, ‘Welcome to the Rock’ the company captured the spirit, humour, and humanity that make this show so special, delivering a performance that was both uplifting and deeply moving.

The cast demonstrated exceptional talent throughout, seamlessly portraying multiple characters with clarity, energy, and conviction. Their performances were supported by outstanding vocal ability, with the harmonies and musical numbers performed to an impressively high standard. The storytelling was clear and engaging, allowing the audience to become fully emerged in the lives and experiences of the people of Gander and the stranded passengers. What truly distinguished this production was the warmth and camaraderie evident at ‘Make’ North Docks Liverpool. The performers worked together as a cohesive group, creating moments of genuine humour alongside scenes of great emotional depth. The balance between laughter and poignancy was expertly handled, ensuring that the heart of the story was never lost.

The direction by Alice McCormack maintained an excellent pace throughout, while the staging made imaginative and effective use of the unique performance space. Combined with the strong musical direction by Kira Hodson challenging choreography of Rebekah Riley and committed performances from a talented cast, the production successfully conveyed the resilience, kindness, and community spirit that lie at the centre of this remarkable show.

This was an exceptional production of ‘Come from Away’, a joyful, heartfelt, and thoroughly entertaining evening of theatre. The dedication, talent, and enthusiasm of everyone involved shone through, leaving the audience with a lasting sense of hope, compassion, and the enduring power of human connection. Thank you WWDN for a splendid evening of live theatre.

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

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