The 11th of September 2001 is a date which will forever carry immense weight in the history of the Western world and remain etched upon the consciousness of all. Though the tragedy of this catastrophic event should never be diminished, Come From Away, superbly performed by the Viva Arts & Community Group, acts as a mediator in the face of pessimism. It is a reminder that, even when all faith in humanity seems to be at an unprecedented low, the power of community and human connection can prevail, even when such affiliation feels entirely unfeasible.
Come From Away manages to tell a story not of the tragedy itself, but of what came in its aftermath: of strangers brought together by circumstance, and of an extraordinary community opening its doors to those who suddenly found themselves far from home.
The talent of this cast allowed a small, intimate lecture theatre in Surgeons’ Hall to plausibly become Gander, a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, where 38 planes carrying more than 7,000 passengers were diverted in the wake of the attacks. The transformation is testament not only to the performers, but to the ability of theatre to transport an audience far beyond the confines of its physical surroundings.
The overwhelming talent of the cast, and the legitimacy of their performances, alongside some applaudingly sung songs, made the production frequently feel as though it could have been worthy of a West End stage. It was therefore unfortunate that a couple of the ensemble members, who appeared somewhat less invested in their performances, occasionally stood out. Repeatedly playing with hair, fidgeting, displaying a blank facial expression, or joining in late to songs, at times punctured the otherwise compelling conviction of the performance.
There were also some technical difficulties, particularly with the microphones. Not every performer had one, and at times it could be rather difficult to hear certain lines. The stage itself also felt somewhat overcrowded when the full cast was present, with performers occasionally having to manoeuvre around one another or risk bumping into each other. These moments inevitably broke the illusion slightly, particularly when the rest of the production had achieved such a remarkable sense of authenticity. Nevertheless, these are ultimately minor blemishes upon an otherwise deeply moving performance.
In a world which can so often feel consumed by division, cynicism, and despair, Come From Away offers a rather reassuring and heartening alternative: that, when everything else falls away, there remains an extraordinary capacity for ordinary people to look out for one another.
Come From Away is running until 15 August in the Fleming Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall. Buy tickets here.
Image provided by Viva Arts &Community Group.
