The return season of Sankoff and Hein’s Come From Away to the Melbourne stage is a testament to the theatrical brilliance and enduring message of the production.
In telling the tale of the 38 planes that landed at Gander after 9/11, the audience are introduced to a panoply of emotion; laughter, pathos, loss, fear and uncertainty.
That the scenarios are so effortlessly created speaks to the range and versatility of the ensemble (too many to name in a short review) who capture a persona with a simple change of a jacket or a hat.
The 12 cast become an entire community as well as a representation of the 6579 passengers grounded in Gander.
The direction and choreography (Christopher Ashley and Kelly Devine) have the cast moving seamlessly across the stage and a scene can be created by an association of chairs or a deft lighting change (Howell Binkley).
The story follows the contours of the time and days spent in Gander but within that time we witness cultural dissonance, romance and a spirit of community that hopefully speaks more loudly and enduringly than the atrocity that brought it to the fore.
The cast revel in the performance opportunities dancing and singing with enthusiasm and able to find the right tenor for the moment.
The voices were superb – both soloists and as an ensemble – the characterizations quickly and effortlessly evoked.
This show should be seen. The simplicity of the staging, the power of the message and the delight of the cast show what can be achieved when an ensemble (or for that matter, a community) work together.
Behind this cast is ‘the band’ who could well have kept the evening going but who added to the pace and distinctive atmosphere of the show.
The reason the production has returned is because this is powerful theatre and an inspirational insight into the human spirit.
Until October 22
Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Bookings: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=COMEFROM22

• Review by David McLean