***** (5 stars)
“The Musical Event of the 2025 Festival!”
Debuting in 2017, Come from Away with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein has redefined the genre for biographical musicals and would go on to win both Tony and Olivier Awards alongside runs in both London’s west end at the Pheonix Theatre and at the Gerald Schonfeld Theatre on Broadway. Now the show comes to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time produced by Captivate Theatre who deliver a production that truly is the musical event of the 2025 Festival.
Telling the story of the very real events in Gander, Newfoundland during the week following the September 11th attacks when 38 planes carrying over 7000 passengers were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. The show takes us into the lives of the residents who rallied to the call and of the stranded travelers they housed and fed.
Its an emotional and truthful exploration of the human condition and humanities ability to transcend tragedy and still find hope and Captivate’s outstanding fourteen strong ensemble company and six strong house band deliver a production that sores into the heart and lingers long in the memory for its emotional honesty and beguiling performances.
There are no weak links in the performers on stage who deliver triumphant performances throughout as they bring to life a myriad of characters on incredibly emotional journeys finding laugher and emotional truths in equal measure. Vocals are peerless thanks to Musical Director Fraser Hume crafting simply beautiful harmonies and vocal performances that are as west end worthy as any to be seen across this year’s festivals.
Director Sally Lyall assisted by Mairi Cross has delivered a stripped back production that doesn’t rely on glitzy stage sets or special effects but instead puts the heart of the story on the performances and these are performances that beguile, capture and touch the heart of the audience in equal measure.
It would be wrong to single out a single performer for praise as this company truly work as one ensemble and everyone gives a performance that comes from the soul and that’s what has ensured that the entire run of Come from Away is playing to packed full houses.
Captivates Come from Away is quite rightly the golden ticket of this year’s Fringe and a sparkling example of what excellent creative theatre making is all about, if you don’t leave the Bijou emotional with a tear then there must be something radically wrong with you! This is the most unforgettable of shows and lets just hope the company return to the 2026 Festival with another run of this smash hit musical! Nothing comes close to matching it, wonderful stuff indeed.
Come From Away, Bijou at Assembly Rooms Venue 20 for info go to: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/come-from-away
ScotsGay Arts 