Come From Away Worth Coming To See

                                                            Review - Come From Away


Like so many people, I can still remember exactly where I was when I found out about the horrific 9/11 terror attacks.  However, I wasn't aware that American airspace was closed in the immediate aftermath or of the 38 flights that had to land in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland.

Come From Away tells the story of the people who landed there, spending hours on their planes before they were allowed to disembark with only their hand luggage.  They were reliant on the kindness and generosity of the Canadian people for food, clothing and shelter.  The 10,000 residents suddenly had an additional 6,500 people to look after.  Some stayed for 5 days before they were able to continue their journeys.

This Broadway musical tells their story, with equal importance being given to both the locals and the thousands who descended upon them.  Every single member of the 12 strong cast brings a depth of feeling to their roles as both a Newfoundland resident and visitor, with warmth, sensitivity and also a lot of humour.

The music is uplifting, with real energy behind it.  The show runs straight through without any break and this gives the story the continuity that it needs.

I took my teenage son with me, and he came out saying it was the best show he had ever seen.  You can't get better praise than that!

The show is running at the Phoenix Theatre with bookings currently until September 2019.


For bookings visit to https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk

                                                   FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - REVIEW

As I walked into the tiny Menier Chocolate Factory theatre and took my seat, people were walking past me getting water from the well, chatting and going about their daily tasks.  It felt as though I was in an alternate universe sitting in Anatevka at the start of the twentieth century.

The story revolves around Tevye (Andy Nyman).  Married to Golde (Judy Kuhn), he is living with his 5 daughters and as a poor milkman, trying to survive and look after his family. As part of an Orthodox, religious community, their world revolves around their Jewish faith and this is instilled in every element of their lives, with the opening song 'Tradition' showing this beautifully.

The town's matchmaker has matched his oldest daughter Tzeitel to the local, but much older butcher.  Despite Tevye agreeing to the match, Tzeitel pleads with her father to be allowed to marry the tailor.  During the course of the story the audience sees Tzeitel and Tevye's other daughters Hodel and Chava each find their own love, but in doing so they make Tevye question how far he feels he can accept the changes his daughters demand, and if he can reconcile them with his faith.

At its heart, this story is about family.  The 'Sabbath Prayer' at the Friday night table and Teye and Golde sing the beautiful 'Sunrise Sunset' during Tzeitel's wedding bring a sense of community and belonging. With the setting of the show on the floor and not on a raised stage, the audience become part of the celebrations and traumas that are suffered.

 Andy Nyman and Judy Kuhn, bring warmth and honesty to their roles as Tevye and Golde.  They are supported by a strong cast with great musical numbers during the wedding and the 'dream sequence'.  The memorable songs finish with the beautiful 'Anatevka' reminding everyone what home really means.

Fiddler on the Roof will be transferring to The Playhouse Theatre in March.