Let’s start with a summary of Come From Away – this is a theatre show about a small town on the coast of Canada, that when disaster shook the world on September 11th 2001, offered accommodation to over 7,000 passengers whose flights had been diverted due to the American airspace being closed.
On the surface, you wouldn’t read the above summary of events and think ‘Let’s turn that cheery story into a musical’ but you simply have to believe me when I tell you that it just works.
Come From Away isn’t a story about disaster or tragedy (although both do feature heavily for obvious reasons) – it’s a story about community, hope and how when faced with the toughest of circumstances people are capable of extraordinary things.
The show opens in the unsuspecting town of Gander, Canada on the morning of 9/11. Gander was once home to the world’s largest airport, in a time gone by, when planes used to have to stop immediately after crossing the Atlantic.
This meant that Gander was the first place in North America that people such as The Beatles or even The Queen, ever landed. However, as we begin our story, Gander is now a small town with a population of about 11,000 and a derelict Airport, barely fit for purpose.
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These circumstances changed very quickly when at 8:46am on September 11th 2001, a terrorist attack was committed on the World Trade Centre, New York. With the US airspace immediately closed, with all airborne planes now suspected to be terrorist weapons, all flights crossing the Atlantic had to be diverted to the nearest Canadian airport… Gander.
Come From Away at The Lowry – a 9/11 musical full of heart and hope
This creates a scenario whereby within minutes a quiet unassuming town on the coast of Canada is expected to welcome over 7000 passengers from 38 different flights, without warning, without proper preparation and without any indication as to how long they’ll be staying.
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When this tale is brought to life, it’s one that will bring you to tears. I have never in my life cried so much at a musical, which I know might not sound like the most resounding endorsement but it’s truly meant to be. There were of course sad tears, heartbreaking tears and sorrowful tears but there were also tears of joy, tears of quiet happiness and tears of hope.
When you think of the horrific events of 9/11, your thoughts immediately turn to the epicentre, to New York. I’d never considered the wider implications of that day, how thousands of people flying must have had their lives turned upside down, how panicked loved ones all across the world must have been, how communities globally were affected and how a small town in a completely different country was called into action.
I don’t want to give too much away in regards to the actual characters within this story or how their journeys play out through what must of been an incredibly tough time, but what I will say is that the characters in this story, all of whom are directly based on real people (more on that later), are some of the most inspirational human beings I’ve ever come across.
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Come From Away is at The Lowry until 5 January
The show stars an extraordinary ensemble performance, with no leads or ‘main characters’, instead each of the twelve actors play a multitude of characters, whose stories inevitably intertwine with one and others.
The staging and choreography for this show are also fantastic, very minimalist with the set mainly being made up of just chairs and small props, leading the audience to use their imaginations to fill in blanks.
I sadly can’t guarantee this at every performance of Come From Away but at the curtain call the night we watched, the real residents of Gander from whom the story is based on, came onto stage and gave a speech about how ‘none of them are heroes but instead just people who decided to do the right thing’… Which inevitably led to more tears from me and an even deeper appreciation of the show.
I think this story is truly needed in the world we’re living in at the moment, with global tensions high, an economy that doesn’t favour most of us, and a lot of the world feeling more separated than ever before. This story, this beautiful, heartwarming and inspirational story shows us how even through the toughest of circumstances, we can work together for the betterment of everyone.
Please go and watch Come From Away. It’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve seen brought to the stage and it deserves endless support from us Mancs whilst here in Salford.
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It’s running throughout the festive season till 5 January and I guarantee you’ll walk away from it feeling just that little bit more hopeful about the world we live in.
A new stage adaptation of a Virginia Woolf classic is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
With both World Book Day and International Women’s Day having only just passed, it feels like perfect timing for a UK tour of a new theatrical adaptation of one of the most important works of feminist writing ever to have just been announced: Mrs. Dalloway.
And, of course, it’s being brought to Manchester.
The legendary modernist novel by Virginia Woolf has already been adapted for stage and screen multiple times, but this most recent version has been hailed as “cinematic”, “immersive”, and striving to be just as ‘radical’ as the original masterpiece itself.
It’s one of the latest shows coming to Storyhouse in Chester for a world premiere, before heading out across the UK for just a select few special performances.
A co-production between said Storyhouse, as well as Harlow Playhouse and CutToTheChase Productions, it’s been co-created by award-winning director Jen Heyes, with help from Olivier Award-winning writer and performer, Kit Green.
Green takes up the role not only of the titular and long-studied character for this bold reimagining of Clarissa, but will also feature as husband Richard Dalloway, tragic supporting character Septimus Warren Smith, and others.
Bookworms and English literature students will likely have come across the name at least in passing, even if they haven’t read it for themselves, and it still remains just as striking now as it was when first published back in 1925.
Elsewhere referred to as The Hours in her diary entries, the text inspired a 2002 Hollywood movie using that ‘original’ working title starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep – all of whom play women whose story mirrors that tale and/or troubles of Virginia Woolf in some way.
Most famously, however, it was also turned into an eponymous British film in the late 90s, with Vanessa Redgrave as an older Mrs Dalloway and Natascha McElhone as her younger self.
Virginia WoolfThe first major version of Mrs Dalloway on film (1997)Green embodying one of many rolesCredit: Topfoto/NTB (via NDLA)
Both have little cult followings of their own, as you would expect from anything with the famous writer’s name attached to them, but theatre fans have every reason to be very excited about this next take.
Speaking ahead of the inaugural performance of the play, director Jen Heyes said in a statement, “I wanted audiences to step inside Woolf’s world and see it in a way they won’t expect.
“We’ve mixed theatre, film, and bold reinterpretations to create something alive, surprising, moving, and entertaining. My hope is that people leave the theatre carrying the story with them long after the lights go down.”
Following the Cheshire debut on Friday, 29 May, running until 6 June, the production will head to Harlow in Essex, and Wilton’s Music Hall in London, before landing at beloved local theatre, cinema and arts space, HOME, over on First Street this autumn.
The stage version of Mrs. Dalloway will be in Manchester from 24-26 September (Thurs-Sat); you can grab your tickets HERE. We’ve been spoiled by some VERY good new material of late…
Watching Mamma Mia! at Manchester Palace Theatre proved once again why this ABBA-powered musical remains one of the most beloved shows in modern theatre.
The audience arrived ready for a party, and the cast delivered an energetic, feel-good performance packed with humour, heart, and, of course, a catalogue of iconic pop songs.
At the centre of the story is Sophie Sheridan, a young bride-to-be, determined to discover the identity of her father before her wedding day. Secretly, she invites three men from her mother Donna’s past to the island, creating chaos, comedy, and emotional revelations along the way.
The plot is famously light… but it provides the perfect framework for a soundtrack built entirely on hits by the iconic Swedish pop band ABBA.
Mamma Mia! brought infectious energy to Manchester’s Palace Theatre / Credit: Brinkhoff / Moegenburg (Supplied)
Jen Griffin leads the company as Donna Sheridan with warmth and a commanding stage presence. Her stand-out performance balances humour with vulnerability, culminating in a powerful rendition of ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
As Sophie, Lydia Hunt brings youthful excitement and a clear, expressive vocal performance, making her character’s search for identity both believable and engaging.
Donna’s loyal friends provide much of the show’s comedy (and cheers from the crowd). Rosie Glossop plays Rosie with scene-stealing wit and excellent comic timing, particularly during ‘Take a Chance on Me’, while Sarah Earnshaw gives Tanya glamorous confidence and sharp humour. Together the trio create the emotional backbone of the show, portraying friendship that feels authentic and affectionate.
The three possible fathers are played by Luke Jasztal as Sam, Richard Meek as Harry, and Mark Goldthorp as Bill. Each bringing their own unique character personality to the role, helping the storyline unfold with plenty of charm. Meanwhile, Joe Grundy plays Sky with relaxed confidence opposite Sophie.
Visually, the production captures the sunny escapism audiences expect, with bright Mediterranean colours, lively choreography, and a cleverly simple island set that transports the audience far from the streets of Manchester. Ouzo anyone?
By the time the encore begins, with the cast returning in glittering costumes for a joyous ABBA medley including ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Waterloo’, the audience is firmly on its feet.
The show last night felt less like a typical theatre evening and more like a celebration. It may not be subtle, but Mamma Mia! remains addictively entertaining.
Featured Image – Brinkhoff / Moegenburg (Supplied)
Oli Lowe -
9th December 2024 
