MUSICAL THEATRE
Book, Music & Lyrics by
David Hein & Irene Sankoff
Comedy Theatre, until Oct 27, 2019
Reviewer: Kate Herbert (reviewed at preview
performance on Sat 13 July 2019)
Stars:
***** (5)
I am posting my 2019 review of this sensational production as it has now opened again in Melbourne. I have no information about any cast changes for this 2021 season.
It runs uitl 14 March 2021 at Comedy Theatre. KH
This review was NOT published in Herald Sun in 2019.
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Melbourne Cast of Come From Away-photo Jeff Busby |
Come
From Away is a remarkable, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the human
spirit at its best, and the audience leapt to its feet in a standing ovation at
the finale. This show is a rare creature you should not miss.
On
September 11 2001, 38 planes were diverted to a tiny town in Newfoundland,
Canada, almost 7,000 passengers were met with warmth and open-hearted
generosity.
On
that dark day, the 10,000 residents of Gander and neighbouring towns gave
shelter, solace and a warm hearth to complete strangers displaced by the events
of 9-11. These people shared their lives.
Remember sharing?
In their electrifying and outstanding musical,
writers, David Hein and Irene Sankoff, condense 16,000 stories from real interviews into a narrative set over five days, with dozens of quirky characters
portrayed by an exceptional ensemble of twelve.
Hein and Sankoff weave an
uplifting and compelling tale, about the passengers who start in a state of panic,
despair and ignorance, and the extraordinary residents of Gander who rally to
make them welcome. As news filters
through from New York, these strangers commune and a new, short-term community takes
shape.
With
Christopher Ashley’s deft direction, actors transform into multiple characters
with only the change of a jacket and an accent. On a stage sparsely decorated
with wooden chairs and slender tree trunks, they transport us from
claustrophobic plane to crowded sleeping quarters or a rowdy pub.
Ashley
sets a vivacious pace that never tires the audience, but keeps us energised and
on the edge of our seats, because we care about these people.
We
wait anxiously for news of Hannah’s (Sharriese Hamilton)
fireman son
in New York, Captain Beverly Bass’s (Zoe Gertz) pilot friend, wonder if this
odd couple (Nathan Carter, Katrina Retallick) will
get
together, and will the gay partners, Kevin and Kevin (Doug
Hansell, Nicholas Brown), split up?
With precision and style,
Hein and Sankoff thread dialogue amongst the spirited, witty lyrics and complex, choral harmonies of their songs, to
inform story, characters and relationships.
The
signature tune, Welcome to the Rock, provides a stirring anthem about
Newfoundland that is reminiscent of a Les Miz chorus, while the rousing Celtic,
folk-rock score, featuring a live band (fiddle, guitar, bass, bodhran,
accordion), supports the ebullient performers.
City
slickers and foreigners start to realise they won’t be robbed or killed in this
gentle, surprisingly tolerant, isolated island, although some of Muslim faith
are carefully screened.
Come From Away has an
unlikely story for a musical, but it works and its celebratory story renews
one’s faith in humanity. I’d wanted to watch it all over again immediately it
finished. If you see nothing else this year, see this. It’s worth it.
By Kate Herbert
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COME_FROM-AWAY-Zoe Gertz - pic Jeff Busby |
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COME_FROM-_AWAY_Nathan Carter Katrina Retallick -pic Jeff Busby |
Cast in 2019
Zoe Gertz - Captain Beverly Bass
Richard
Piper - Mayor of Gander (and other characters)
Sharriese Hamilton- (Hannah)
Doug Hansell – Kevin T
Nicholas Brown - Kevin
Kolby Kindle –Bob
Emma Powell - Beulah
Katrina Retallick – Diane
Kellie Rode- Bonnie
Sarah Harrision -Janice
Nathan Carter – Nick
Simon Maiden – Oz, Rabbi
Director - Christopher Ashley
Musical
Staging -Kelly Devine
Musical
Director -Luke Hunter
Musical
Supervisor -Ian Eisendrath