Come From Away Grand Theatre Leeds Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dottie Rood
I thought I might find this a hard musical to review! Not because I did not enjoy it, I did, it was funny, uplifting, emotional and left me (and my husband) with a real good feeling at the end of it, but because it came about because of 9/11!
Come from Away is a true story based on the diversion of over 250 flights away from American airspace on that dreadful morning of September 11th, 2001. 38 of those commercial flights were diverted to Gander, a small town of just over 10,000 residents in Newfoundland, Canada. It tells, through very enthusiastic dancing and singing, how the people on the planes (who were later fondly referred to as ‘plane people’) were kept on the planes for 24 hours but then had to be accommodated with everything they might possibly need for however long they might need it and as there were approximately 7,000 of them this would be a huge task!
The play tells the whole very uplifting story of what happened in Gander, exploring true stories in a beautiful thoughtful way. It had moments of great sadness, moments of joy and most of all it shows the love and humanity people can display to each other in the face of such adversity.
Come from Away (book, music, and lyrics) is written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and directed by Christopher Ashley with musical staging by Kelly Devine. The fantastic cast of twelve, with six standbys’, were superb, they were on the stage for the full one hour forty minutes (there was no interval) and each played a number of very believable parts. It was really easy to follow what was going on even though it was fast paced in parts. I cannot pick a standout member of cast as they all had fantastic voices, and their timing was faultless.
I didn’t read up about Come from Away before I went as I wanted to see how much I could follow the story and how much of it I could understand, I was not disappointed. I have since read what happened in Gander at that fateful time and I am so pleased that aside from a bit of ‘dramatic’ license it follows it quite closely. Of course, it would not have been all ‘happy, clappy and fun’ at the time but the humanity displayed and then depicted in the play must have taken place at the time as some of the relationships formed at that time are still going strong. Gander has got a piece of steel from the Worlds Trade Centre as a thank you for what the town did. It is a joy to read what happened afterwards and it was a real joy to watch this musical. It is one I would highly recommend.
Come from Away is on at The Grand Theatre in Leeds until Saturday 11th May 2024. This is a beautifully ornate theatre of medium size located in the middle of the town. It has ‘staggered’ seating so there appears to be no blocked views as you are sat ‘between’ the people in front, a brilliant idea! It has a bar selling snacks and drinks, the staff are really helpful and friendly.
Rating: 5/5
https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/come-from-away-2024/
Tickets cost: £25-£60
Come from Away is at Grand Theatre Leeds from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 11th May 2024
For more information or to book tickets visit: boxoffice@leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the box office on: 01132430808 Open Monday 5-8.30, Thursday/Friday 5-8, Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 2-8.30.
Leeds Grand Theatre, 46, New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU What three words: ///works.yaga.arrow