West End Review: Come From Away

By
-

Having just finished its 4-year West End run at the Phoenix Theatre in London, ‘Come From Away’ tells the remarkable true story of the 7000 airline passengers and 38 planes that descended on the town of Gander, Newfoundland in the wake of 9/11. The musical showcases the generosity and determination of the locals to accommodate these ‘come-from-aways’ into their lives, despite such horrific circumstances. The 100-minute production comprises just twelve cast members, each playing at least two roles, and an eight-piece band. The musical takes audiences on a journey through the discovery of what is happening both on the ground and in the air, the rallying of a community and the departure and eventual return ten years later.

We follow several main characters including Captain Beverley Bass (first female American Airlines captain – Alice Fearn), Beulah Davis (Jenna Boyd) and Nick and Diane (Robert Hands and Kate Graham) as they navigate the uncertainty and horror of 9/11, and the love of Gander, from both sides.

Image Credit: SeatPlan

A musical surrounding events on 9/11 could easily be an unsettling, grim experience but the cast and creatives have crafted a beautiful, sincere, and yet comedic retelling of hope and community. The music throughout is masterful, retelling key events in ‘Blankets and Bedding’ and ‘Darkness and Trees’, personal anecdotes for Captain Bass (‘Me and the Sky’) and Hannah (‘Prayer’), as well as authentic Newfoundland folk music (‘Screech In’ and ‘Finale’). The show also benefits from simple set and prop usage (twelve chairs and two tables) and is in constant motion throughout, rarely pausing throughout the run. In its iterations across the world, every single showing has received a standing ovation.

Despite only getting the chance to see this production in its final few weeks, it has easily become one of my favourite musical theatre experiences. The show and story was captivating and inspiring. In a world where there is so much division, this musical showcases the truly remarkable things that can be achieved when people come together, because in the end – “We All Come From Away”.

Rating: ★★★★★

‘Come From Away’ has finished its West End run and goes on tour in 2024. Tickets for those performances go on sale 13th February 2023. A Broadway cast recording is now streaming on Apple TV+

Image Credit: Come From Away