MUSIC THEATRE
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
At
Comedy Theatre, Melbourne until Oct 30 2022
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: *****
This review published only on this blog. It repeats much of my 2019 review but includes the new cast for this 2022 season. KH
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| Cast of Come From Away - photo credit Jeff Busby |
Come From Away is a remarkable, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the human spirit at its best, and the audience at this return season in September 2022 leaps to its feet in a standing ovation at the rousing 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.
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.
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 (Sarah Nairne) fireman son in New York, Captain Beverly Bass’s (Zoe Gertz) pilot friend, wonder if this odd couple Nick (Phillip Lowe) and Janice (Manon Gunderson-Briggs) will get together, and will the gay partners, Kevin and Kevin (Doug Hansell, Joseph Naim), 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.
Come From Away has an unlikely story for a musical, but it works and its celebratory story renews one’s faith in humanity. See it before it is gone forever!
by Kate Herbert
Cast - Melbourne 2022
Kyle Brown – Bob & others
Zoe Gertz – Captain Beverley & others
Manon Gunderson-Briggs – Janice & others
Douglas Hansell – Kevin T & others
Kat Harrison – Bonnie & others
Joe Kosky– Oz & others
Phillip Lowe – Nick & others
Joseph Naim – Kevin J & others
Sarah Nairne – Hannah & others
Natalie O’Donnell– Diane & others
Emma Powell – Beulah & others
David Silvestri –Claude & others
Band
MD – Michael Tyack AM
Associate MD – Nigel Ubrihien
Bodhran & Percussion – Jess Ciampa, Steve Martin
Electric, acoustic & nylon guitars – Tina Harris, Jo To
Fiddle – Xani Kolac, Dora Maria, jane Patterson
Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki – Seb Bartels Caleb, Garfinkel
Whistles, Irish flute, Uilieann Pipes, Matthew Horseley
Electronic music – Andrew Barrett (for Lionella Music)
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| Zoe Gertz - Photo credit Jeff Busby |
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| Phillip Lowe & Natalie O'Donnell - photo credit Jeff Busby |
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