ALL of us can remember where we were and what we were doing when we saw the film of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001. It is an indelible image of a moment that changed all our lives.
But for the residents of a remote community living on an island off the east coast of North America, that change has been lastingly unique. Gander in Newfoundland now finds itself a holiday destination for theatregoers from around the world, thanks to a musical play – the spectacularly brilliant Come From Away. The first UK tour is at Bristol Hippodrome to introduce more audiences to the stories of how 10,000 people from Canada looked after 7,000 passengers and crew – and their animals – from the 38 planes that were forced to land at the tiny local airport for the five dreadful days after the attack.
Gander used to be a major airport for passengers crossing the Atlantic – the first port of call in the Americas – but the advent of larger aircraft with greater fuel capacity rendered it an “emergency and domestic only” stop. When all airspace was closed on what is now known as 9/11, the residents of the town and its surrounding villages jumped to it. The mayors organised emergency response as the passengers were allowed to leave the planes – some of them were in the cabins for more than 24 hours. Soon it became clear that the “visitors” came from all around the globe, and had various religious and dietary requirements not common in the difficult-to-reach corner of Newfoundland.
The great thing was that the residents were welcoming. Even a long-running pay dispute by bus drivers was shelved for the duration. The leader of the local SPCA (what we call RSPCA) realised that there were probably animals on board, and she ignored the ban on entering the holds of the 38 airliners (everyone was scared of bombs on board) to rescue dogs, cats, even our closest relatives, bonobo apes, and ensured they were fed, watered and medicated where necessary.
Come From Away is what Newfoundlanders call visitors, with the understanding that every one of the residents did at some time come from somewhere else. They are welcoming people and they did everything they possibly could to make the enforced stay as good as possible. Most of the stranded passengers wanted telephone contact with their loved ones more than food or sleep. Huge bills were run up … and written off. Lasting friendships were made. Most of the Gander residents hardly slept for the five days the planes stayed on the runway.
Some of these stories are told in the extraordinary musical play, created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and their prodigiously talented team. Fifteen songs drive the story along, with the marvellous nine-piece on-stage band playing their hearts out. The music is heavily Irish influenced. It is an ensemble show in the truest meaning of the word. Every one of the dozen cast members plays multiple roles with the donning of a jacket or a hat, and so well do they do it that you have to remind yourself that, for example, Jamal Zulfiqar is the selfish Kevin and the wrongfully-suspected Ali, or Daniel Crowder the shy Englishman and the reluctant animal rescuer. There are barnstorming moments, touching songs, and a real sense of community in this high-energy, life-affirming show.
Standing ovations are de rigeur these days, often undeservingly so. Come From Away proves just why it is that an audience can leap to its feet and clap until they can’t clap any more. It is wonderful. I can’t encourage you enough to get a ticket for Bristol, where it is on until 31st August, if you possibly can. The tour returns to the south at Chichester Festival Theatre in November.
GP-W