Come From Away

Director Scott Jamieson’s production of the story of kindness and resourcefulness shown by the townspeople of Gander, Newfoundland to the thousands of strangers who descended upon the small town following the terrible events in New York, of what has simple become known as 9/11, was amazing from the opening company number “Welcome to the Rock” to the “10 Years Later” final song and the onstage bands rousing hoe down “Screech Out” which had the enthusiastic audience leaving the theatre with a smile on their faces and a spring in their step. There wasn’t a weak link in the 13 cast members as they told the story of how fear and mistrust over a period of 5 days turned into love for some, life long friendships, and even the break up of relationships, with empathy and humour. Most of the cast played dual roles of passengers and townspeople changing accents and characteristics seamlessly with just a change of a single piece of costume. Amanda Massie was superb in the dual roles of Airline Pilot Beverley Bass and school librarian Annette with her soaring soprano voice being shown to its best in Beverley’s solo “Me and the Sky” with her humorous side coming through in Annette’s interactions with a sexy pilot played by Ruairi Mackinon. Joanne Peacock too was outstanding as no nonsense school teacher Beulah Davies who was chief organiser and deliverer of aid to the stranded passengers. Shirley Torrie as passenger Hannah O’Rourke, the mother of a New York firefighter, gave a very strong portrayal of a mother seeking reassurance that her son was still alive – her rendition of “I Am Here” was heart wrenching. Her growing friendship with Beulah, a fellow mother of a firefighter, was sensitively handled. Ryan Peacock as Kevin Tuerff, the senior partner in a gay relationship, gave a strong performance, and his lead in the company number “Prayer” (based on the hymn “Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace”) where all the different faiths come together was one of the highlights for me and you could have heard a pin drop in the audience. Stuart Mearns as Gander’s Mayor Claude Elliot (and all the other Mayors of surrounding towns) also gave a strong performance displaying all the characteristics of leadership required in the position but with a touch of humour as displayed in his lead in “Screech In” where some of the passengers were initiated as townsfolk. The growing attraction between middle-aged passengers Texas divorcee Diane Gray and fellow middle-aged English bachelor Nick Marson, played by Susan Hughes and Darren Jalland, was again sensitively handled and their duet “Stop the World” was beautifully delivered – and they got their happy ending! Strong support was given by Hannah Smith (the towns animal lover Bonnie Harris), Sally Stewart (the towns rookie TV reporter Janice Mosher), Steve Hamer (as Police Officer Oz Fudge), Callum Bell (as Kevin Jung the younger gay partner) and Mohammad Ezzadpanah (as Ali the Muslim passenger held in suspicion by the other passengers). The company singing and movement throughout were excellent as was the playing of the onstage 8-piece band. The set was simple – a solid back wall with a couple of doors and a collection of chairs and tables which were rearranged by the cast to represent the various settings i.e. the plane cabin, the bar, the church, the school. The lighting too was very effective in highlighting the various acting areas. Well done to Scott, his team and cast for bringing a professional level show to the people of Aberdeen – you fully deserved the extended applause and standing ovation received!

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