Come From Away UK Tour Review

Come From Away The Musical Review

I was invited to the press night of ‘Come From Away The Musical‘ at New Wimbledon Theatre in London. It is running here until 12th November 2024 before continuing on its UK tour until January 2025.

Come From Away is a Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, this epic show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts. Here is my Come From Away UK Tour Review:

Everything you need to know about Come From Away UK Tour

The Story

Come From Away opens with a small Newfoundland town learning of the tragic events of 9/11, as 38 planes are unexpectedly diverted to land in Gander. This heartwarming tale follows the extraordinary actions of the town’s 10,000 residents, who welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers with open arms. It’s a beautiful story that showcases how the community came together to support the passengers during their time of need, even caring for the animals on board. Come From Away is a true celebration of human kindness, blending heartfelt emotion, humour and infectious energy. A truly beautiful story, it is pure joy to watch.

The Characters

Come From Away‘s ensemble cast are just incredible, they are so versatile. With each actor portraying multiple characters – from Gander residents to the plane passengers. The seamless transitions between roles are simple, from slipping off a jacket or wearing a hat, but extremely effective. This production is truly a collaborative effort, with no single actor delivering a standout performance—because the entire cast shines as one. Each actor brings their own warmth, humor, and depth to their roles, beautifully capturing the spirit of the town. The vocal performances are equally remarkable. With the show’s fast pace, it’s important to stay attentive, as it’s easy to miss details in the rapid dialogue.

I thoroughly enjoyed the musical style of Come From Away, which is rooted in the folk traditions of Newfoundland. The score offers a delightful mix of upbeat, foot-tapping rhythms and soulful ballads. ‘Welcome to the Rock’ always stays in my head long after the show has finished. It is a lot of fun. I also particularly enjoyed Sara Poyzer’s rendition of ‘Me and The Sky’ reflecting on her life as a pioneering female pilot.

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Set Design

Right from the opening moment, the stage creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and powerful in its storytelling. A simple set consisting of some chairs and tables and the clever use of lighting, which transforms effortlessly from planes, to shelters, to the local bar. I really appreciated the minimalist approach because it allows the storytelling to shine through. The scene transitions are fluid, keeping with the fast paced momentum.

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My thoughts on the show

Come From Away is one of my favourite musicals. It’s a heartwarming and beautiful story that highlights the kindness of strangers and reminds us of the goodness we’re capable of, even in the darkest times. The way it balances the gravity of the 9/11 attacks with humour, hope, and compassion is truly incredible. This uplifting and powerful show is a must-see. You’ll laugh, you might cry, but you’ll undoubtedly enjoy every moment and leave the theatre feeling inspired and uplifted. Go see it!

Cast List: 

• Natasha J Barnes – Janice & others
• Daniel Crowder – Nick, Doug & others
• Mark Dugdale – Kevin T, Garth & others
• Rosie Glossop – Bonnie & others
• Amanda Henderson – Beulah & others
• Kirsty Hoiles – Diane & others
• Oliver Jacobson – Oz & others
• Dale Mathurin – Bob & others
• Nicholas Pound – Claude & others
• Sara Poyzer – Beverley, Annette & others
• Bree Smith – Hannah & others
• Jamal Zulfiqar – Kevin J, Ali & others
• Angeline Bell – Standby and Dance Captain
• Holly Ann Butler – Standby
• Daniel Cane – Standby
• Ashleigh Harvey – Standby
• Alyn Hawke – Standby and Resident Director
• Kathryn Pemberton – Standby
• Kevin Yates – Standby

Tour Dates:

• New Wimbledon Theatre – 08 Oct 2024 – 12 Oct 2024 – Book Tickets
• Theatre Royal – Norwich – 15 Oct 2024 – 26 Oct 2024 –
• Grand Theatre – Wolverhampton – 05 Nov 2024 – 09 Nov 2024 –
• Marlowe Theatre – Canterbury – 12 Nov 2024 – 16 Nov 2024 –
• Festival Theatre – Chichester – 19 Nov 2024 – 23 Nov 2024 –
• Theatre – Milton Keynes – 26 Nov 2024 – 30 Nov 2024 – Book Tickets
• Lowry – Salford – 03 Dec 2024 – 05 Jan 2025 –

Running time:

1 hours and 40 minutes, no interval.

Warnings:

Flashing light (camera flash) and haze

Price:

TICKETS From £27.

For more information or to book tickets.

You may be interested in some of my other Theatre reviews.

We were invited for press night but all comments and opinions are strictly my own. Thank you for reading Come From Away UK Tour Review.