It’s impossible to leave the theatre after seeing Come From Away, currently playing at the Lowry in Salford, without a sense of community, love and a lot of laughs.
The musical centres around a small town in Canada where thousands of airline passengers were grounded in the wake of 9/11.
The Newfoundland town of Gander, which is in the midst of a bus strike, has two choices – one: step up and help in any way they can, or two: leave 7,000 people stranded on the tarmac.
Based on a true story, it follows the days following the terrorist attack and how the Gander community reacted to an overwhelming influx of people.
Guided on the ground by their mayor, played by Nicholas Pound, the ensemble work seamlessly to play multiple roles. There was no need to rely on elaborate costumes, just small props and accent changes were enough to clearly switch characters.
Sara Poyzer’s performance of “Me and the Sky” as Captain Beverley was as moving as it was educational, diving into the history of female pilots.
Bob, played by Dale Mathurin, is one of the several plane people whose stories are peppered throughout. Mathurin brings Bob’s suspicious nature to life in a humorous way that many could relate to.
It isn’t all laughs though and addresses many serious issues. Character stories cover the collapse of the Twin Towers as well as delving into homophobia, army brutality and Islamophobia.
The pace was constantly driving forwards with songs changing from high energy jigs to emotional ballads and back to jigs again. The stage was used to its full potential with clever use of chairs, trap doors and lighting converting the stage into many locations like planes and bars.
Irene Sankoff and David Hein are behind the book, music and lyrics of this multi-award winning play.
Christopher Ashley, director, won the Tony Award for his direction of Come From Away on Broadway.
If you’re looking for a documentary on 9/11 this is not the musical for you – but if you’re after true stories of a community taking on the impossible in the face of tragedy then tickets are on sale at The Lowry until Sunday 5 January 2025.
Featured image: © Copyright The Lowry
