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Review: Come From Away (New Wimbledon Theatre / UK Tour)

Review by Daz Gale

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

For years bookending the lockdowns, Come From Away lit up the West End, warming the hearts of everyone that visited to see this uplifting and heart-warming true story of hope, humanity and unity. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and their stay at the Phoenix Theatre came to an end on the fateful day that was January 7th 2023, but that wasn’t the end of the story as it was announced the show would be coming back for its first tour of the UK and Ireland. After kicking off that tour earlier this year, Come From Away returns to London for a week at New Wimbledon Theatre, but where I found my heart with this show in the West End previously, would I be able to find it all over again or would it feel like something’s missing?



I need to start this review by being completely honest – Come From Away is a very special show to me. Where I like to write all reviews with a completely unbiased and un-influenced perspective, it would be remiss of me not to declare what a huge part of my heart this show has. I was at its opening night, re-opening night post lockdown, closing night as well as several times in between, completely overcome with emotion each and every time. I posted a story on X about what happened after its West End closing show last year which has now given the show a lot more meaning and poignancy for me personally, so my first watch back in nearly 2 years was bound to be even more emotional than usual. Loving a West End production doesn’t always equate to loving another production as much, as a surprising review of mine from the touring production of one of my favourite shows earlier this year can verify, Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here – the stars at the top of my page probably give away that this show is every bit as special as it always is. What I would like to do in this review is try to convey just why this show is so special to me and so many others.

 

Premiering in 2015, Come From Away made its way to Broadway in 2017 and flew across the Atlantic to land in the West End in 2019. It is based on the true events in the week following 9/11 when 38 planes carrying 7000 passengers were diverted to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, nearly doubling the population of the small town. As the residents of the town opened their doors to give the passengers somewhere to stay as well as opening their hearts, something surprising was found amongst the tragedy of the week, bringing a much needed bit of light in the darkness of that terrible day.

 


In Come From Away, Irene Sankoff and David Hein have created something truly beautiful. A show that not only pays tribute to the victims of 9/11 in the most sensitive and touching of ways, but a remarkable true story that captures the very essence of humanity and how love and kindness can be found in the most surprising of places. Few shows are able to penetrate your heart and connect with an audience as effectively as Come From Away does, and that is why it holds such a big place in many hearts. With a lot of humour and a lot more heart, this is a rich story which effortlessly manages to tug at every conceivable emotion through its varying but very real tones.

 

Christopher Ashley’s direction finds creative ways to bring the story to life, with this production staying very close to the staging of the West End version with only the most minor of tweaks to ensure the show can be told on the road (‘Stop the World’ being the biggest change I noticed due to the lack of revolve). One element many will talk about when speaking of Come From Away isn’t so much the choreography but the chairography, with the versatile use of chairs almost acting like part of the cast and always impressing with how much they are used throughout. While this isn’t the biggest reason to love Come From Away, of course, it means there is plenty on offer here for any chair enthusiasts among you. The great musical numbers are accompanied by impressive sequences, with iconic opening number ‘Welcome To The Rock’ and its finale reprise among the highlights, making it impossible to not tap tap tap away to. However, when it comes to theatre perfection, you’ll be hard pushed to find a sequence better than ‘Screech In’ – a marvel in execution, it exudes such a joyous energy, it is impossible not to smile during this scene and will surely leave the theatre longing to kiss the fish yourself. (I’m aware if you’ve not seen this show before, you will think I’ve lost the plot. You may be right)

 


The cast of twelve all take on multiple characters, seamlessly switching from one to the other, namely the residents of Gander to the passengers on the plane. This is done through the simple adding and removing a singular item of clothing in another testament to the inspired direction, as well as the talents of the cast in their ability to switch from one to another in a mere moment, rarely leaving the stage. Having to work predominantly as an ensemble, the cast are all equally breath-taking, forming one cohesive unit and ensuring the stage threatens to collapse under the weight of all that talent.

 

Sara Poyzer gets one of the more memorable characters in the show with a confident portrayal of Beverley, delivering a stunning rendition of the show’s now signature musical number ‘Me And The Sky’. Mark Dugdale and Jamal Zulfiqar make a formidable double act as the two Kevin’s, with Zulfiqar particular astonishing in his turn as Ali. Speaking of great chemistry, the heart-warming l true story of Nick and Diane, the two strangers who fell in love and are still together to this day, is beautifully realised by Daniel Crowder and Kirsty Hoiles, while Natasha J. Barnes pits her own spin on the sweet-natured Janice. It would be tricky to single anyone out as a standout as, truth be told, all twelve were mesmerising in their own right. Come From Away truly thrives when the cast come together collectively and this cast is the perfect example of that.

 


While Come From Away focuses on events from 23 years ago, the message it sends is still very much relevant today – perhaps more so than ever. In an increasingly terrifying world full of conflict and atrocities, it is important to remember that there is a good side to humanity too, and this show encapsulates the very best of that. Initially making light of how kind and trusting the Gander residents are, the plane people come to fall in love with them and find themselves and their lives changed forever thanks to the actions of these people. It’s a message we can all take with us, and manages to fill hearts with hope and we remember some of the good that can be accomplished in this world.

 

It's not often you find a show that has real world repercussions, but the message of Come From Away continues to this day with many inspired to do better in their everyday life and attempt to pay it forward. This was demonstrated at this performance in a post-show speech, paying tribute to the show’s biggest fan, Laura Townsend, who very sadly passed away last year. Inspired by the show and in tribute to her friend, fellow Come From Away super-fan Lydia Greatix has been following the tour around the country, paying it forward with good deeds at every stop in a beautiful example of how powerful theatre can be and how it has the ability to change and enrich lives. With Lydia invited on stage for the curtain call speech, you can’t help but feel inspired yourself and want to be a better person, thanks to the message of this show. It may be another famous show that mentions the kindness of strangers but it is Come From Away that exemplifies this most.


 curtain call speech speaking of the pay it forward scheme


I will always remember the feeling I had watching Come From Away for the first time 5 years ago. I had never jumped out of my seat so fast the second the show ended to give a show a standing ovation, and have never had a moment quite like that since. Repeat visits to the show never lessen that impact, with each actor adding their own spin on the characters and each performance giving the feeling like you are watching the show for the first time. Time and time again I say that theatre at its best can make you feel and few shows can make you feel as tremendously as Come From Away. It makes you feel every emotion going, reminding you what it is to be human, why I love theatre and the very best humanity has to offer. Its message of hope in the darkest of places is one we all need to be reminded of, and something I needed to hear personally.

 

 I truly did find my heart in Come From Away and have left a piece of it behind so it will always belong to this astonishing show. This is a musical I will take with me for all of my days even in the years where it isn’t playing – in my heart a candle’s in the window and the kettle’s always on.  Not all shows are created equal and in Come From Away, it really is one of the best there’s ever been.

 


Come From Away plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until 12th October. Tickets available here.

 

It continues its tour until 5th January 2025. Dates and tickets at https://comefromawaylondon.co.uk/tour-dates/

 

Photos by Craig Sugden

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