The UK and Ireland tour of Come From Away has landed in Leicester. And what a show. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, this musical is all about community. A heartwarming tale of people coming together and helping each other.
Set at the time of 9/11, the musical follows the lives of 7,000 passengers on 38 planes that were diverted from all over the world to a town called Gander in Newfoundland
Overnight, the town’s population nearly doubled in size, and the generosity shown by the people that lived there was incredible. These true stories give a snapshot of what happened during that fateful day, and the days that followed.
Residents of the town include Claude, the mayor, played by Nicholas Pound, who has no other thought than pulling all resources together for the benefit of the passengers, the bus driver, Garth, played by Mark Dugdale, who put thoughts of striking to one side when the passengers arrived, and animal welfare worker, Bonnie, played by Rosie Glossop, who climbed through the cargo to find and ultimately take care of the animals that were on the flights – including two rare Bonobo monkeys.
The cast change from being the town’s residents in an instant, and it is wonderfully orchestrated. A simple switch of an item of clothing or a hat and the characters change to those who arrived on the flights – bewildered and tired.
Each actor played several characters, every one just as convincing as the other, including Jamal Zulfiqar, who played Kevin J, a passenger who had arrived on the plane with his boyfriend – also called Kevin. He also played Ali, a muslim passenger who was discriminated against and subjected to a humiliating strip search for no reason.
The musical portrays the long term friendships that were also made, including two women – Hannah, played by Bree Smith and Beulah, played by Amanda Henderson, who both had sons who were firefighters. Hannah’s son remained missing whilst she was in Gander, and the women looked out for each other. On her return home, Hannah finds out her son has lost his life in the attacks. She contacts Beulah when she finds out the sad news.
The incredible true story of the couple that found love during the five days – British businessman Nick, played by Daniel Crowder who meets divorcee Diane, played by Kirsty Hoiles is also told. They feel guilty for finding love during such terrible circumstances, but manage to stay together.
Kelly Devine’s musical staging was wonderfully ingenious, with chairs from the local Tim Hortons being turned into rows of airline seats, the background changing into the cargo hold, and tables becoming hills that Nick and Diane climb on a romantic walk together.
All of the musical numbers are beautifully presented, and with the musicians ever present, makes the musical score come alive. Be prepared to shed a tear during Prayer, and when the locals invite the passengers to ‘Screech In’ to drink a local rum called screech and join in the local tradition of ‘kissing the cod’, the mood changes to joyous.
Be prepared for this musical to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
★★★★★
Come From Away is at Curve until Saturday March 9.
