Come From Away is the very last show being presented by The Idols on their 70th Anniversary. It has a deliberately mixed cast of older and newer members. Not only does the casting reflect the various age groups in the story but, if we go back to the long-standing group’s history and origins in 1955, it is fitting that a entertainment society, started by caring doctors and nurses for the patients’ happiness, are now presenting a show whose dramatic storyline is built on the notion of caring for the mental and physical health of complete strangers in their unexpected hours of need.

Set in Gander, Newfoundland, in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of a small town called upon to play host to approximately 6,600 stranded airline passengers who have been diverted to their airport when air space around the USA is immediately shut down.

Many scenes and characters are directly based on real people and events, the information gleaned by writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein during a visit to the town some ten years later. Thirty-eight international aircraft were diverted to Gander, more than doubling the local population, which as you might expect, was completely unequipped to deal with such a large influx of stranded travellers. Yet did so with humility and astounding selfless generosity.

Come From Away is based on true stories about real people and their life-changing experiences in the middle of world news shattering tragic events. Through the stories depicted live on stage and, even listening to the original soundtrack, we find ourselves in the profound emotional states of joy, laughter, sadness, compassion, kindness, devastation, elation and finish the evening off elevated and inspired. Pretty good going for an ensemble driven one act musical lasting approximately eighty-five minutes without an interval.

The action of the piece centres around the angst of the bewildered passengers and the magnanimity of the townspeople springing into action to house, feed and embrace their new community within a community. Extraordinary relationships develop with consequences that reach far into the future.

“On September 11th 2001 , we learned that community isn’t measured by geography, but how quickly our hands reach for one another.”

It’s easy to see, feel and hear, why this show is so popular with audiences and fans. With such musical numbers as ‘Welcome To The Rock’, ’28 Hours/ Wherever We Are’, ‘I Am Here’, ‘Prayer’, ‘On The Edge’, ‘Me and The Sky’, ‘Somewhere In The Middle of Nowhere’, Stop The World’, and ‘Something’s Missing’ we are taken on a musical theatre rollercoaster ride. Excellent choice, The Idols.

The brilliant cast take on a variety of roles most actors being one or more Newfoundlander and one or more Come From Away air passenger. All the cast are exceptionally good both in the acting and singing stakes. They are very believable in their roles and together add layers of characterisation on each person they are playing creating a web of mutual dependence and care taking in the ensemble. It is a complex show and the simpler the furniture and props creating the staging vocabulary the more potent the story. The Idols have gauged it just right.

This stellar cast and the direction (Ian Phillips) make it look easy. I am very sure it is not. The choreography (Danielle Sanders) has some naturalistic dance but the movement aspects are principally about unity and the emotionally expressive moments in the musical drama. The show’s musical director is Kate Bale and her eight strong band play at the perfect pitch. Andy Crooks lighting design and Darren Parlby’ sound design are faultless and add enormously to the enjoyment of this theatrical piece. The scenery is very similar to the professional productions and is by Scenic Solutions.

 

The male cast are as follows: Vaughan Barton Ashcroft – Kevin Tuerff, Garth and others, Dan Brewer – Kevin Hung, Dwight, Ali and others, Norman Buckley – Doug, Nick Marston and others, David Jackson – Oz Fudge and others, Andy Marmoy – Claude Elliott and others, Joshua Taylor Williams – Bob and others.

The female cast is comprised of: Sarah Barton – Wales – Beverly Bass, Anette and others, Carissma Griffiths – Hannah O Rourke and others,  Liz Kavanagh – Bonnie Harris and others,  Cathy Robinson – Diane Gray, Crystal and others,  Lutricia Russell – Janice Mosher and others, Clare Snow – Beulah Davis and others.

Come From Away deserves to sell out this week and tonight the audience give it a wonderful standing ovation. It runs at The Little Theatre Leicester until Saturday 18th October. Make The Idols 70th Anniversary show one for them and Leicester audiences to remember with pride for many decades to come.