I loved Bonnie (Mary Doherty) who worked in a local animal shelter with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and who identified that there were animals on board the planes. She and two colleagues set about finding them from the plane manifests and making arrangements to feed and care for them: cats, dogs and even two rare Bonobos, pygmy chimpanzees. One of the cats had his epilepsy medication taped to his carrier.

Come From Away has this feel of being developed organically as we learn of people’s occupations, nationality, different languages, sexuality, religion and diets and how to cater for them.  It is exceptionally well crafted.  Of courses many of the characters are based on real people. 

The two Kevins, a gay couple Kevin T (Mark Dugdale) and Kevin J (Jonathan Andrew Hume) who disagree frequently, are apprehensive about their reception as a gay couple.  There is Hannah (Gemma Knight Jones) whose son is a Brooklyn Fire fighter.  She bonds with Newfoundlandite Beulah as she anxiously waits for news of him.  “I Am Here” is her powerful solo.  A stiffly mannered Englishman Nick (Alasdair Harvey) will strike up a romance with a divorced Texan woman Diane (Kate Graham) in many comic riffs. Another true story!

Initially the passengers have to stay on board the planes and the chairs are arranged onstage in a jet aircraft formation. It is very hot weather.  Slowly rumours begin to spread about what has happed at the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.  There is a jaw dropping presentation as news of 9/11 hits the passengers. 

There is great choreography, exuberant dance and clever scenes, the cardiologists in white coats on their way to a conference in Texas wave their red gloved hands at us. Comedy too, the gym teacher who speaks a little Spanish but then finds he only has a dating vocabulary!  Gander finds a lone Jewish resident whose Polish parents sent him there in the 1930s.

The backdrop of the magnificently named Beowulf Boritt’s set is boarded wood with Howell Binkley’s lighting shifts taking us to different places and changes of atmosphere.  The slickness of the cast changing characters and rearranging chairs under Christopher Ashley’s direction is perfection and impressive.   

This musical has no artificiality about it and that is so unlike some musical books which can feel contrived.  This is about people behaving well and other people being grateful – the tragedy brings out the best in everybody and some of the audience are crying tears of happiness at the emotion.  This story illustrates how good people can be. 

I missed Come From Away in February 2019 where a frantically opening week before the Oliviers’ eligibility close led to difficult choices and too much to cover.  It was a mistake.  I was booked in to see it on the 12th March 2020 when I was advised to stop travelling on the tube and mixing in theatres because of Covid, so I’ve waited a long time to review this fabulous show. 

If Theatrevibe gave stars this would be a magnificent five stars. Can I go again, please?