Come From Away – Milton Keynes Theatre

Picture: Craig Sugden

Come From Away was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 30 November 2024. The tour continues until 5 January 2025.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

The Olivier Award-winning show Come From Away has captivated audiences worldwide with its heartwarming blend of humour, compassion and emotional depth.

In the morning of 11 September, 2001 US airspace is closed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, forcing more than 200 planes to be diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. What follows is a remarkable tale of strangers becoming friends, as the citizens of Gander, known for their warmth and hospitality, come together to provide food, shelter and comfort to the bewildered passengers. In less than 24 hours, a community of ordinary people rise to an extraordinary occasion. The people of Gander give everything they have to these strangers. Come From Away is a testament to human kindness in the face of crisis.

Beowulf Boritt’s set is a clever and minimalist design, which evokes the airport and surrounding community with a series of movable wooden elements and a few simple props. Within this environment director Christopher Ashley allows the actors to seamlessly transition between the different locations, from the tarmac of the runway to the local high school gymnasium, with the quick changes reflecting the sudden, whirlwind nature of the events depicted.

The ensemble cast is one of the production’s strengths. Each actor plays multiple roles, often switching between passengers, locals and airport staff, and they do so with impressive versatility. Their performances are fast-paced and full of energy, maintaining a lively and heartfelt tone throughout. There are no star turns here; instead, every actor contributes to the collective storytelling, and this sense of unity mirrors the show’s theme of solidarity in times of uncertainty.

The score, composed by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, blends folk, country and traditional musical theatre styles. A number like ‘Welcome to the Rock’ and is a high-energy crowd-pleaser, while songs such as ‘I Am Here’ and ‘Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere’ bring emotional resonance and depth. The music never feels overly sentimental; instead, it speaks to the resilience and hope that has emerged from the tragic event.

One of the show’s standout features is its ability to balance humour and heartbreak. The characters are warmly drawn, from the Gander locals, who demonstrate a proud and steadfast sense of community, to the passengers, whose personal stories unfold with touching vulnerability. In particular, the portrayal of a mother trying to contact her son, a firefighter in New York, struck a poignant chord. Yet, Come From Away never dwells too long on the sorrow, always counterbalancing emotional moments with sharp wit and light-hearted comedy.

Come From Away is a joyful, emotional and deeply human musical that is impossible to watch without being moved.

Hannah Grimmette