Full on performance marks Priory’s 80th birthday
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Come From Away. The book, music and lyrics are by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Directed by Nicky Main, Musical Director James Harragan. At the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 8 – 18 April 2026.
Review by Charles Essex
While the awful events of the planes crashing into the twin towers on 9/11 filled our screens and were the only news, a little-known event was being played out 1100 miles away in Newfoundland. The small town of Gander, which had a massive but now little-used airport, virtually doubled its population when all flights into the USA were blocked, and those arriving from the west were diverted there.
This talented and accomplished cast of actors and musicians drew our attention aside from the horrors of mass murder to the personal stories of passengers stranded and largely alone and the townsfolk who generously embraced the need to help them. There was wonderful singing, numerous small scenes and vignettes, and entertaining choreography. Faced with this emergency situation, personal and professional differences were set aside as people from all walks of society pulled together under the shadow of the tragedy to show a moving portrayal of the kindness of strangers.
Director Nicky Main realistically encouraged accents with an Irish twinge, which some in the audience may have not realised was authentic to the Newfoundland area. There was a marvellous opening (and as it happened closing) number in the diner which set the scene of a close knit but remote community. All the cast played several parts which they did superbly. Kevin Wing and Ian Meikel were the two gay Kevins, with wonderfully comical banter and bickering. They worried about how they would be treated, yet in a humorous scene in a bar, it turned out they were not ‘the only gays in the village’.
Sue Morris gave a performance as solid as the character she played – Beulah, head teacher of the local school. She rolled up her sleeves and accommodated 700 people in the school gymnasium. Yet her character had a touching relationship with Hannah (Danielle Burrows), whose son was a firefighter in New York and had not responded to her calls. All the cast sang well, whether solo or in groups, but Danielle had a particularly outstanding voice.
Using only chairs in various arrangements, the cast were in the fuselage of an aeroplane, frustrated at being kept on the tarmac after landing with no information, but hilarious scenes ensued as they were given free drinks. Emily Collins portrayed the determined concern of Bonnie, the animal charity worker, for the animals in the holds of the aircrafts. They had been ignored as the needs of the human passengers were prioritised, but her compassionate concerns won the day.
The audience were voyeurs to intimate revelations. Sometimes fear and anxiety. One Kevin (Ian Meikle) could not cope with the loss of familiar guidelines while the other (Kevin Wing) embraced the novelty. Their relationship foundered whilst Diane (Ruth MacMallum) from Texas and posh Nick (Craig Shelton) from England formed a connection.
The play was over 100 minutes with no interval, reflecting the continuous nature of this abnormal situation that the residents and passengers found themselves in. Yet no one left the auditorium for a toilet break. Increasingly enthralled by the bonds and connections that developed over the five days of the story, the audience were drawn in and became part of this ‘new’ community – residents, passengers and audience. This was a spectacular piece of theatre, both in terms of the quality of the performances and musicianship under James Hannigan’s direction, but also revealing goodness and light in a seemingly dark world, reflected in some of the songs and even a Bible verse.
Discover more and book tickets: https://www.priorytheatre.co.uk/
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