Come From Away

“You are here, at the start of a moment, on the edge of the world, where the river meets the sea. Here, on the edge of the Atlantic, on an island in between, there and here …” – Welcome to the Rock, Irene Sankoff & David Hein. 

As our journey begins, the distinctive, throbbing pulse of the Bodhran (a Celtic frame drum) reverberates off the walls of Melbourne’s iconic Comedy Theatre, reminiscent to that of a beating heart, perfectly setting the mood as heart is at the very core of Come from Away. Our home for the next 100 minutes, an island on the northeast tip of North America called Newfoundland, where a town called Gander is situated.

Come From Away, an endearing Newfinese phrase translates to a traveller visiting Newfoundland, is aptly bestowed on the musical, which is taking the world by storm. Incorporating aspects of ethno drama and verbatim theatre, Come From Away is set against the backdrop of September 11, a day which stopped the world. Shattering any and all preconceptions, this musical explores the true events that transpired when 38 airplanes, carrying 6597 passengers from 92 countries were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, with a population of 9000. Without hesitation, the communities surrounding Gander International Airport were up to the challenge of housing, feeding and entertaining the newly displaced ‘plane people’. The locals opened their hearts and their homes to all, spurring unexpected camaraderie in unthinkable circumstances, proving not all heroes wear capes.

The unique theatrical event that is Come From Away was conceived by creative husband and wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein who wrote the book, music and lyrics in 2011, after spending a month in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and the surrounding communities on the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attack. “People of Newfoundland are incredible storytellers … As we heard numerous tales of ordinary people and extraordinary generosity, it became clear that the island was a safe harbor in a world thrown into chaos,” they surmise. 

The 100 minute musical is an amalgamation of over 16,000 stories, with each character in the show being inspired by real interviews. Drawing on interviews, documentaries, and letters as stimulus, the writers developed a groundbreaking piece of theatre that examines the human spirit and our capacity to show empathy in times of great adversity. 

Come From Away is revolutionary theatre at its finest. Directed by Tony Award winning best director Christopher Ashley and musical staging by Olivier award winning Kelly Devine, a unique staging vocabulary moves us from one place to the next in an instant. Dramatic elements are magnificently crafted in this musical, including the careful manipulation of tension, conflict and mood. Come From Away’s international acclaim is a tribute to the highly skilled performers who are captivating and absorbing in the portrayal of their characters. The notion of chorus is given a contemporary spin with only 12 performers working together on stage constantly and seamlessly transitioning between the ‘locals’ and the ‘plane people’, often with minimal costume changes. The incomparable Zoe Gertz (Fiddler on the Roof, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Into the Woods), who portrays Captain Beverley Bass and others in Melbourne’s Come From Away season, performs her role with passion and commitment. Her powerful vocal range is sensational, particularly evident in the tribute song ‘Me and the Sky’. Sharriese Hamilton (Animal Farm, Wonderful Town and Thaddeus and Slocum) who plays Hannah and others tears at the audiences heartstrings and reminds us what it is to be human. Theatre veteran, Emma Powell (Priscilla, Kinky Boots and Les Miserable) envelops the audience with her warmth and radiates positivity and humour within her role as Bueler and others. Each performer supports one another as a true ensemble: a diverse and unique company of individuals telling the story as one.  

Come from Away encapsulates the unique and special culture of Gander. Not only through the indecipherable hybrid accents of its residents but also through the emphasis which is placed on ones ‘neighbour’, Hannah’s joke at the conclusion of the performance:

“Why are Newfoundlanders really terrible at knock-knock jokes?

“I dunno,” says Beulah

Hannah: “Well, try it. I’ll be a Newfoundlander

Beulah: Knock knock!

Hannah: “COME ON IN — THE DOOR’S OPEN!”

Come From Away is an extraordinary story about ordinary people. 

Come From Away
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
Till Sunday, 21 March 2021
comefromaway.com.au