COME FROM AWAY 2022 REVIEW
PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON
THURSDAY 21st APRIL 2022 @ 7.30PM
***** 5/5
The last show I saw before we went into lockdown #1 was in fact Come From Away in March 2020. Hopefully, this visit doesn’t have the same fate! This review also starts my week of theatre reviews from my London trip (that I’m on right now). I managed to see five shows in the four and a bit days I was there. Let’s get started with my Come From Away 2022 review.
PRE-SHOW THOUGHTS
I can honestly say it’s one of my favourite shows, even though I don’t listen to the soundtrack too often. It’s not the easiest show to watch sometimes because of the subject matter (9/11) but the cast is always phenomenal. It must be a good show because some of them are still part of it since it first came to the West End in 2019. Although it’s a traumatic event, it really is a story of togetherness and community, definitely relevant to today’s society.
THE CAST
With just 12 members, it’s one of the smaller casts in the West End. However, that doesn’t make them any less talented. In fact, they’re some of the most talented people in the theatre. Each member plays multiple roles in the show, floating seamlessly from Newfoundlanders to the ‘plane people’ almost instantly. Most characters are based on real-life people or an amalgamation of a couple so it’s definitely important to get it right. Each actor has impeccable vocals/harmonies and accent skills throughout. Honestly, I’d be forgetting which role I was playing in every scene!
I would normally go through and pick out a handful of the cast who had a star turn. However, it’s very much an ensemble piece as each character and actor feeds off one another and it wouldn’t be the same without one of the twelve. However, as always, a special shoutout goes to the three stand-bys performing. Micha Richardson, Matthew Whennell-Clark and Alexander McMorran all cover five roles each and you couldn’t tell they weren’t part of the regular cast. I always find it so impressive when alternates, swings and covers blend with the regular cast and will never complain about not seeing a ‘full’ cast!
In this production, the cast were:
- Jenna Boyd – Beulah and others
- James Doherty – Claude and others
- Mary Doherty – Bonnie and others
- Matthew Whennell-Clark – Kevin T, Garth and others
- Alice Fearn – Beverley, Annette and others
- Kate Graham – Diane and others
- Alasdair Harvey – Nick, Doug and others
- Jonathan Andrew Hume – Kevin J, Ali and others
- Micha Richardson – Hannah and others
- Alexander McMorran – Oz and others
- Sam Oladeinde – Bob and others
- Emma Salvo – Janice and others
THE MUSIC
Being a country music fan, the soundtrack will always be my cup of tea. It’s folky and catchy from the offset and you’ll find yourself tapping your foot from the very beginning. Welcome to the Rock is one of the best opening numbers of a musical ever as it really lays down the storyline in a single number. I particularly like how each character gets a moment in the spotlight with a huge emphasis on ensemble numbers. There isn’t a main character with a tonne of solos, although ‘Me and the Sky’ is considered the big solo number.
One of my favourite parts of the show is the band, who are on stage at all times and have a little feature after the bows (so don’t leave early). They are also integrated throughout certain numbers and I’m also a big fan of being able to see them at all times. They’re not a traditional orchestra so it works with the show to have them on stage.
THE PRODUCTION
The set and props are fairly simple to let the actors take centre stage. For the most part, it is just twelve chairs and a few tables dotted around. The chairs are integral to the storyline and I was impressed by the chairography!
The only downside for me is the fact that it’s only 100 minutes long! The time absolutely whizzes by and the musical is compact yet so full at the same time. Many musicals seem to drag on when you reach the two-hour mark with filler songs that don’t really add much. However, the show doesn’t have an interval so get prepared beforehand!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’ve said it to plenty of people before but Come From Away is a musical for those who don’t usually like musicals. It’s the story that pulls you in and the music enhances and expresses what is going on at that moment. The characters are so relatable even though most of us haven’t been through the experience that they have.
The lady I sat next to said it was her first solo theatre trip ever and she wasn’t usually a huge fan of musicals. I said to her that Come From Away is a great show for people who don’t usually like musicals because of the story. After the show, she said it’s the best thing she’s ever seen so not a bad endorsement!
I honestly think it’s a musical that everyone should see. Anyone my age and older will remember the horrors of 9/11 and whilst it was a dreadful attack, the stories that unfolded around it and the generosity of others are humbling. You won’t regret seeing this show.
If you enjoyed my Come From Away 2022 review, check out my other theatre reviews here. Come back tomorrow for my & Juliet 2022 review (2020’s can be found here). Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more stagey trips.
