Come From Away At Theatre Royal Nottingham Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Gemma F
Come from Away is a remarkable true story of 7,000 airline passengers who find themselves stranded in a small town in Canada during the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
The show is touring the UK and is currently at Theatre Royal Nottingham. Located in the city centre and easily accessed by train, car and tram. Theatre Royal Nottingham is surrounded by Nottingham’s numerous eateries and shops. As we approached the theatre we were really taken by this imposing and impressive building. There is a separate spacious bar area which offers a welcome retreat from the busy theatre foyer.
Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, this smash hit show shares the story of the passengers from all over the world and residents of the small Newfoundland community who welcome them with open hearts.
The story focuses on a plane full of international passengers that have to land suddenly. None of them knows what is happening or why they have to land so unexpectedly. The play features just 12 actors who (astonishingly) play 84 characters! These include the first female American Airlines captain, the energetic town mayor, the mother of a missing New York firefighter and the overwhelmed local news reporter who are among the many real characters who find themselves far from home at the start of the moment that changed the course of history.
The logistics of suddenly trying to find food, shelter, clothing and medication for 7000 people was a task that the residents of Newfoundland embraced without hesitation and the play is filled with true accounts of the kindness shown to their guests in the face of the horrors of 9/11. Come From Away is a story of the very best of humanity and is a celebration of hope and unity.
Through a series of clever accent, costume and staging changes, the play highlights to its audience the importance of human connection and reminds us that even in the darkest of days, there is always hope.
The cast are small and versatile delivering performances that see its audience laugh out loud and cry in equal measure, skilfully mirroring some of the emotions experienced by both the stranded passengers and the residents of Gander, Newfoundland. Special mention goes to Bree Smith who plays Hannah (and others) for her show stopping rendition of ‘I Am Here’ which captured the agony of those waiting to make contact with loved ones on that terrible day. It was a highly emotional moment delivered with perfection. Amanda Henderson’s Beulah (and other characters) delivered perfect comedy timing and gave the play warmth and personality. The women who these actors depict are friends to this day, having been thrown together in the worst of circumstances. Indeed, the residents of Newfoundland still welcome their ‘come from away’ friends who reunite in their small town.
The musical score, infused with Irish folk influences, is played live on stage and has the audience on its feet at the end. Led by musical director, Andrew Corcoran, the band are on stage throughout and blend with the cast performances.
Since watching this heart warming production for the first time in December 2019, blogger Theatrical Lydia – Lydia Greatrix –has been inspired by the show’s ethos of community spirit, and by Pay It Forward 9/11, a charity set up to honour those who lost their lives by doing good deeds for strangers. Lydia is now following the UK tour, ‘paying it forward’ by sharing acts of kindness and generosity in each city she visits. Her campaign is in memory of her friend Laura Townsend, who saw the show over 150 times around the world, championing its message and spreading kindness wherever she went. Now it is Nottingham’s turn to share an act of kindness during the show’s visit, to offer support to people experiencing homelessness on the city’s streets this coming winter. They are asking audience members who come and see the show to bring along an item of warm winter underwear or monetary donation to give to Nottingham’s Emmanuel House, an independent local charity supporting people who are homeless, rough sleeping, in crisis, or at risk of homelessness in Nottingham.
By the end the whole theatre was on their feet applauding this wonderful show and this very important cause.
Rating: 4/5
Come From Away is at Theatre Royal Nottingham from Tuesday 1st October to Saturday 5th October 2024
Theatre Royal Nottingham, Theatre Square, Nottingham. NG1 5ND
Tickets are £24 to £59
www.trch.co.uk https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/come-from-away/
Box Office 0115 989 5555