COME FROM AWAY at the Phoenix - Good For The Gander

On September 11th 2001 as the world watched in shock as four doomed hijacked planes became missiles, other planes were already in mid-flight with nowhere to land as all US airspace was cleared.  38 civilian flights and 4 military flights were re-routed to the Canadian town of Gander on the island of Newfoundland, it's airport having become an emergency landing location.  6,600 people - passengers and crew - suddenly appeared from nowhere and the town-people came together to provide them with food and shelter for the 6 days it took to get their flights started again.

One of the few optimistic tales to emerge from September 11th, this Samaritan tale writ large is the basis of the Award-winning musical COME FROM AWAY which I finally got round to seeing a week or so ago.

The musical, unsurprisingly, originated in Canada in 2013 and slowly made it's way to Broadway in 2017 where it's unexpected down-home quality made it a surprise hit and it is still running.  It was nominated for 7 Tony Awards but lost out to the DEAR EVAN HANSEN juggernaut, winning only the Best Director award for Christopher Ashley.

It opened in January of 2019 at the Phoenix Theatre and was nominated for 9 Olivier Awards, winning 4 including Best New Musical.  It seems to have found it's audience here too and we were lucky to see it with the original cast still intact, which was good as I think it was their committed ensemble playing which made the show enjoyable.

To be honest, I found the musical took a bit of time to get going; it's the second show from Canadian husband and wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff who also wrote the book, based on research they did while visiting Gander for the 10-year reunion of passengers and townsfolk.  Their characters are based on real people both on the ground and in the air and a cast of 12 play all parts.  We are first introduced to the townsfolk - Claude the amiable mayor who is trying to sort out an industrial dispute with city bus drivers, the local cop, the local school teacher, the rookie local tv reporter etc. who all seem to turn up at the local bar to chew the fat.

But soon they learn of the events sweeping the US and quickly become the bewildered passengers aboard an American Airlines plane being flown by Pilot Beverley Bass which is diverted to Gander for an emergency landing.  Aboard we have a cross-section of travellers like a routine AIRPORT disaster film: the worried mother of a NY fireman, a young gay couple both called Kevin, a middle-aged English man and a gregarious Texan woman who are finding a burgeoning friendship etc.  Soon they are being assimilated with the welcoming townsfolk who have to miraculously supply all their needs as their luggage is embargoed on the silent planes.

And that's about it... everyone makes space for each other and help is given freely and accepted gladly.  One suspects that in real life there was surely more strain during the 6 days the unexpected guests disrupted the lives of the people of Gander but we are presented with links of acts of human kindness that slowly begin to work their charm.

Sadly the music - while perfectly fine in the theatre - has left not even the faintest echo in my mind but it is all based around a Celtic folky stompy, handclappy vibe which provides for a few galvanizing ensemble numbers.  The one big solo number is given to the pilot Beverley Bass as she sings of her childhood dream to fly planes and in it's chorus it reminded me of 'Defying Gravity' from WICKED - or was that because it was sung by ex-Elphiba Rachel Tucker?

Rachel Tucker has come a long way from being a runner-up on the BBC OLIVER! talent show "I'll Do Anything!" - as has fellow-contestant Jessie Buckley - and she gave a warm and commanding performance as the pilot whose faith in the open skies is suddenly challenged.  As I have said it was the calibre of performances that won me over and apart from Tucker there was fine work from David Thaxton and Jonathan Andrew Hume as the gay couple growing apart by being confined together. and Robert Hands and Helen Hobson as the English businessman Nick and Texan Diane slowly falling in love but knowing that life will split them up when the plane gets the OK to fly.

Clive Carter was fun as the easygoing mayor of Gander and I liked Cat Simmons as the worried mother of a NY firefighter, and a special mention to Nathanael Campbell as Bob, a young black man who thrives in the tolerant community he finds in Gander.  But as I said, they all get an opportunity to shine and work well as an ensemble - the onstage band were splendid too.

At 100 minutes with no interval, it packs a lot in and I can't say I ever felt the pace drop so I would recommend it - as Sam Goldwyn allegedly said "It has charmth and warmth" - it's just a shame the score is not stronger.