Come From Away : When Kindness Outshines Darkness

Thought-provoking and humbling, the multi award-winning musical Come From Away is based on a true story which restores faith in human nature.

The show’s dynamic, non-stop performers, also do justice to those involved in the original events.
In a bitterly cold climate, seven thousand air passengers from all over the world received the warmest of welcomes when they were grounded in the Newfoundland town of Gander following the 9/11 atrocity.

The hospitality, sacrifices and generosity afforded by Gander’s 10,000 residents to their visitors of diverse cultures and denominations across five days - is inspirational.

With the airspace over North America closed, passengers from thirty eight grounded planes are understandably fearful and apprehensive as they disembark into the unknown. Only when they see the news on TV do they comprehend the full horror of the terrorism.

A gargantuan community operation saw the non-judgmental, open-hearted town folk forfeit sleep to ensure that guests - referred to as ‘come from aways’ because they were not born in Gander - were provided for in every aspect.

Community halls became makeshift lodgings, residents welcomed guests into their own homes, and nineteen animals including dogs, cats and two bonobos (great apes) - one of which was pregnant - were rehoused in Gander’s animal shelter.

Nothing was too much trouble for the hosts whose guests included a group of children who had been bound for Disneyland to celebrate their birthdays with the Make-A-Wish-Foundation for seriously ill children.
Determined that they did not miss out, 16-year-old Lisa Fudge from Gander organised a joint birthday party in the children’s shelter with clowns, cake and balloons.
Directed by Christopher Ashley and written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away is inspired by the real life stories of Gander residents and passengers gathered from interviews.

The series of events are magnificently played by a dozen actors. Oozing talent from every pore, they take on multi roles in a high-energy, humorous performance.
Acting, singing and dancing non-stop, they swap roles in the blink of an eye, recreating scenes from a stranded plane, the local bar, makeshift accommodation and animal shelter. Their performances are further enhanced by an excellent band and stage set.

Original key characters include an Irish American grandmother Hannah, (Bree Smith) who is beside herself with anxiety to find out if her son, a New York firefighter, is safe.

The apprehensions of gay couple Kevin Jung, (Jamal Zulfiqar) and Kevin Tuerff (Mark Dugdale) over how they would be received in Gander’s deeply religious community were soon washed away in the caring environment which enveloped them.

Also instrumental is Gander’s mayor Claude (Nicholas Pound) who galvanised the hospitality operation, Beverley Bass (Sara Poyzer) as American Airlines first female Captain. The musical’s 15 songs include her powerful rendition of Me and the Sky.

Romance also blossoms in exceptional circumstances when English oil executive Nick, played by Daniel Crowder, and American Diane, played by Kirsty Hoiles, sealed their attraction with a kiss.

After marrying and going on honeymoon in Newfoundland, they reunited in Gander with fellow ‘come from aways’ and the musical’s writers on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, to be interviewed and share their experiences.

Looking back on the time they originally spent there, Nick said: “I think it’s made me a better person. I try to be my best self every day, be happy, make other people happy and make them laugh.”

Laughter is known tonic during adversity. To help guests feel at home, fun and mirth abound in the form of foot-stomping dancing, whisky consumption and a ritual called ‘screeching in’ where guests kiss a gigantic slippery cod to become an honorary Newfoundlander.
Since that fateful day in 2001, the bonds between Gander’s residents and their extended family are as strong as ever as they reunite at new productions of Come From Away and welcome new cast members.

In the current climate, the beacon of light radiating from a Newfoundland community who took ‘come from aways’ into their hearts and homes is a salutary reminder of the importance of being kind.

Come From Away plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday Aug 17, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

The musical is also touring the UK at venues including The Lowry in Salford. For more information click here