Verdict: Five stars
Come From Away, King's Theatre
I do not think I have seen a faster standing ovation in Glasgow, which is saying something for a city that loves its musical theatre.
The audience was on its feet even as the final note of the last song of Come From Away was ringing out, and they stayed standing through multiple curtain calls and a sensational finale mini-gig by the marvellous band who played on stage throughout.
Glasgow also loves community, of course, which is probably why this magnificent show resonated so strongly with the King’s Theatre crowd on opening night (Tuesday, September 24).
If you think a joyous, feel-good musical about the aftermath of 9/11, when terrorists flew planes into New York’s World Trade Centre, cannot possibly be a thing, prepare to stand corrected.
Come From Away is a stirring, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartbreakingly sad story of the people of Gander, a tiny and remote community in Newfoundland, Canada, who welcomed almost 7000 strangers into their midst for five days when 38 planes were diverted there after 9/11.
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A superb cast, which includes Sara Poyzer as trailblazing captain Beverley, Amanda Henderson (Casualty’s Robin) as kind-hearted Beulah, Mark Dugdale and Jamal Zulfiqar as witty gay couple Kevin and Kevin, Dale Mathurin as suspicious New Yorker Bob, Bree Smith as the mother of a firefighter, and Nicholas Pound as gruff, quick-thinking mayor Claude, play multiple parts as stories of the passengers and the townsfolk are woven together against a backdrop of fear, love and kindness.
Some of the characters are based on real people, others are composites – like rabbit-in-the-headlights reporter Janice, played by the excellent Ashleigh Harvey – and a few details have been changed for dramatic effect, but this is a true story, about truly unbelievable strength and kindness in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
The set and staging are fantastic – some really slick chair-eography creates the different settings (plane, community hall, bar) and the music is phenomenal, a relentless, uplifting soundtrack with a handful of stand-out songs: Stop the World, performed by Daniel Crowder and Kirsty Hoiles as the English businessman and Texas divorcee who fall in love over Irish whiskey and a dead fish, is just beautiful; Welcome to the Rock is a rousing opener; Prayer, which combines different faiths and stories, is very powerful.
Come From Away is a musical like no other. It warmly welcomes you in, reminds you of the darkest of times while restoring your faith in humanity, and on a cold autumn Tuesday in Glasgow, we could have stayed and listened to the music and stories all night.
Come From Away is at the King’s Theatre until September 28.
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