Review: Come From Away at the Lowry is ‘a beautiful, life-affirming tale about the kindness of strangers’

When I first heard bout the premise for Come From Away, I wondered how it would work as a musical.

Everyone knows what happened on 9/11, but seeing the tremendous acts of kindness shown to over 6,500 strangers who find themselves grounded in the Newfoundland town of Gander highlights that love does indeed trump hate.

Adapting this heartwarming and frequently funny story into a musical could have come across as deeply earnest and slightly clumsy. We have seen the most brilliant true stories botched by Hollywood and who can forget shows where bad lyrics make you snigger, even though the source material has it all?

Come From Away at the Lowry

The joy that emanates from Come From Away is because the story is front and centre. There are no flashy gimmicks, smoke, mirrors or special effects, you don’t need them. And this means that you feel involved and there are moments when you forget you are watching people on a stage.

It feels as if you are eavesdropping on conversations in the small town of Gander, as 1000s of people arrive, hungry, in shock, bewildered and incredibly tired.

The audience and the welcoming committee know why these planes have been grounded. But not everyone had a mobile phone in 2001, so one scene which features a group of passengers huddled around the TV watching the news, stony faced and numb is delivered with emotional intensity and it takes you back to that fateful day, which shocked the world.

But this marvellous musical is far from grim, it celebrates simple acts of kindness and the effect this has on people. It can be something simple such as preparing them a meal, offering them a bed for the night, or simply saying that you are sorry for something they are going through.

But extend this to 1000s of displaced strangers and it does remind you that most people are bloody good eggs, who will help those who need it. We forget that if we are immersed in our phones doom scrolling, and reading bad news constantly.

Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Irene Sankoff and David Hein have penned the story, music and lyrics and because of huge numbers of people this story involved, they focus on a handful of stories and characters, for obvious reasons.

We see rookie reporter Janice (Natasha J.Barnes) who hits the ground running with her on camera pleas encouraging locals to support these confused newcomers.

Then there is the ‘will they or won’t they’ love story involving Brit Nick (Daniel Crowder) and American Diane (Kirsty Hoiles) who are like chalk and burger cheese.

Then we turn to a pilot called Beverley (Sara Poyzer) who finds out how many of her colleagues have been affected, as she reflects on how she ended up loving being in the air.

The show also explores prejudice, and how if we embrace our differences, our lives become so much richer. This could come across as cloying and patronising but it never does because there is always a good gag on the way, or a smile inducing moment one minute and a tear rolling down your cheek the next.

Bree Smith as Hannah

Bree Smith’s Hannah moved me because of her vulnerable vocals and the pain of loss, which she portrays with real class and dignity.

I have seen this show a few times now and I rarely say this about a play or musical, but it could be longer. There is so much packed in to almost two hours with no interval, that an extended run time could provide the audience with deeper focus on the characters they  have grown to love. But the breathlessness of the plot suits the frantic nature of these true life events, as everyone’s lives were turned upside down and the learning curve was fast.

The cast are like athletes and we go through so many emotions with them. My favourite scene is when the bored passengers on a flight are given drinks from the mini bar.

Grounded but singing along to My Heart Will Go Along and flashing their bras, followed by loud snores, offers them a glimmer of light relief before they find out what took place on 9/11. Last word goes to the excellent onstage band, they play, dance and fill this piece with hope and joy.

If you long for a world without division, immerse yourself this true tale of the kindness of strangers. Welcome to the Rock, via the Lowry and revel in the jubilance that radiates from the stage straight to your seat.

Tickets Come From Away at the Lowry

Come From Away is at the Lowry until 5^th January and you can book tickets here