Come From Away review: Uplifting 9/11 musical lands in Sydney

The hit show about ‘plane people’ diverted to Canada in the wake of the September 11 attacks will remind you that goodness exists.

If there was any doubt the musical Come From Away had captured the spirit of a tiny Newfoundland township on 9/11, the lady in row D at the Capitol Theatre on Thurday night dispelled it.

And Julia Campbell should know. She and her husband Iain were on one of the planes diverted to Gander when US air space was shut down in the wake of the 2001 airborne terrorist attacks.

Gander residents instantaneously mobilised when 6579 “come from away-ers” landed on their quaint little island that day. And that’s what Come From Away is about.

Actor Zoe Gertz plays the starring role in Come From Away as real-life American Airlines pilot Beverley Bass. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Julia Campbell had already seen the show in Melbourne, and in Sydney she clapped and stamped through all the big numbers like part of the show’s wider family — which she obviously is, along with all the other come from away-ers the show has reached out to.

No doubt there was also a lingering sense of release for Campbell. After their pilot had informed passengers they were not permitted to enter American air space and were dumping fuel, she hid her face in her pillow “because I didn’t want to see the crash”.

The man next to her on the plane looked at a photograph of his family and wished them goodbye.

Of course, their plane touched down safely in Gander and, 20 years later, this boisterous musical tells the story of the good-hearted locals who went above and beyond to make the strangers feel at home for a week until their planes could fly them home again.

It’s a beautiful show that will make you smile — and wish you lived in Gander.

There were many great performances last night. Zoe Gertz is one of those people who light up the stage, and her portrayal of American Airlines pilot Beverley Bass was a highlight.

The uplifting tale reflects on the possibility of kindness and unexpected community. Picture: Tim Hunter

In Gertz’s hands, Bass was strong but kindly and fiercely proud of being a pioneer female aviator.

Emma Powell was spot on as Beulah, a motherly Ganderite who organised everything from trays of sandwiches to, yes, extra toilet paper.

Sharriese Hamilton was brilliant as Hannah, who fears for her emergency worker son in New York and is comforted by Beulah. Hamilton’s voice was particularly beautiful.

Kolby Kindle’s portrayal of Bob, one of the stranded airline passengers, was hilarious. When the mayor of the town orders him to collect everyone’s backyard barbecues for a community cook-up, Bob firmly believes he will be shot as a thief. Later he says Gander must be the only place where they not only let you take their barbecue, they help you carry it away.

Douglas Hansell and Ash Roussety as the gay couple, Sarah Morrison as Gander’s enthusiastic young news broadcaster, and Kellie Rode as the animal loving local were all fabulous.

Phillip Lowe and Angela Kennedy were just right as the suburbanites who manage to get together despite their shyness.

Gene Weygandt was a wonderfully laconic mayor of Gander and Simon Maiden flitted effortlessly between many roles.

The music is rollicking, and the set and costumes befit the simplicity of Gander itself.

This heartwarming, uplifting show will remind you that goodness exists, sometimes in the most far-flung and unexpected places.

Come From Away is on at the Capitol Theatre.

4.5 stars