Come From Away: The show we all need right now

Posted on 9 October, 2025

With all that dominates our news and social media feeds these days, few could be blamed for feeling more than a bit disillusioned with humanity.

Yet, last Friday night, as I sat in the Gungahlin Theatre during the opening performance of Dramatic Productions’ ‘Come From Away’, I certainly was not one of them.

Nor did I appear alone in that sentiment.

For 90 continuous minutes, I was among 300 transfixed Canberrans who were also quickly becoming aware of just how much they, too, needed this ‘faith in humanity’ reboot.

Come From Away is my favourite musical for so many reasons. But mostly because it is the story of real people doing great things for each other.

And it reminds us that we can too.

Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away is set in the wake of September 11, 2001, and recounts the extraordinary true story of 7,000 stranded passengers whose planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland – nearly doubling the town’s population overnight.

Embraced by the people of Gander, they were welcomed and cared for in a heroic and coordinated display of extraordinary selflessness, kindness, generosity and action that lasted up to five days.

Each time I have experienced Come From Away (it’s not a show one can just ‘watch’), I have walked out of the theatre, reminded that no matter what ‘the world’ forces us to deal with, we all have within us the capacity to respond to tragedy and crisis, in ways that elevate us all.

And that when we do, ‘miracles’ can in fact, occur.

However, until now, I’ve only experienced the show through professional productions. This was the first time I have seen a community theatre production of it, and I’ve seen a lot of musicals.

Before having to step away from the theatre production world a few years ago to care for my ill mother (as more of us women find ourselves doing), I was an avid consumer of, and participant in, both local and professional theatre production and promotion for many years.

I am proud to say that I spent many years during this time working with Dramatic Productions, whose decision to stage Come From Away is no surprise, given the show’s message of kindness, generosity, and collaborative community.; something at the core of the Dramatic Productions ethos.

And although truthfully, my expectations were already high, given the creative team involved, the company itself, and the calibre of the cast, I was hard pressed to spot the difference (other than the significantly lower ticket price!), between what I experienced in Gungahlin, and those professional productions.

Most noticeably, in its impact on me.

I write this not as a theatre reviewer (which I am not), but as a journalist and human being who really needed what I experienced on Friday.

I do love a true story – especially told through a show like this, which is poignant and powerful, but with the appropriate and intuitively placed humour and joy, which allows us to revisit a tragedy, without being overwhelmed by it.

I also love to leave a theatre feeling better than the theatre seats first found me.

And Dramatic Productions Directors, Kelly Roberts and Grant Pegg do too.

“What moves us most about Come From Away is its raw humanity. In the middle of a crisis, ordinary people did something extraordinary – they welcomed complete strangers with open arms,” they say.

“That spirit of kindness and mateship is something Australians understand deeply, and why audiences will love this show”.

That is an understatement.

The lobby after the show was one of the happiest and uplifting places I’ve inhabited for a while.

It was clear that part of this was because the joy among the production team, crew and the cast of 12 local performers – a refreshingly equal balance of six women and six men – who seamlessly rotate through the characters of both the people of Gander and ‘the plane people’, was palpable.

That’s another feather in the bow of this show for me: that alongside the stories told by those six talented men, there is an equally represented opportunity for talented female performers to tell the stories of real women.

Tracy Noble and Deborah O’Toole and cast. Credit: Janelle McMenamin. 

And, in doing so, showcasing the importance of carving out ways to pursue what we love and what brings us joy, when it is easy to be consumed by all the things we are called upon to do for others.

Even as I write this – punctuated by phone calls from my mother’s care home and health professionals – I could not be more acutely aware of this oft out of balance dance.

Following opening night, some of the female cast have shared with me their thoughts and feelings about doing what they love, and of being in this show, particularly where the opportunity to have so many accomplished local female performers tell the stories of real strong women, of all ages, in one production, is a rare find.

“There’s such power in sharing the stage with other strong, talented women, telling a story that is ultimately about connection, leadership, and care”, says Charlotte Gearside, who plays the role of Janice.

“Come From Away celebrates the quiet heroism that women so often bring to moments of crisis, and being part of that feels deeply meaningful”.

Performer Tracy Noble, who plays Beulah, agrees.

“Being able to play real-life women is particularly rewarding, but with it comes an enormous responsibility”.

And mum and creative arts teacher Alissa Pearson, who plays Bonnie, adds: “It’s important for me to continue to explore my passion of performing and telling stories. I want my children to see the importance of following your dreams and working towards something.”

Alissa Pearson. Credit: Janelle McMenamin.

In an era where increasing isolation, fragmentation, and stressors threaten the ease with which we once gathered together as women, the opportunity for meaningful connection with each other was also mentioned more than once.

Deborah O’Toole, who plays Beverley highlighted that, “Being part of this show, particularly as a woman, is just so important.”

“The demographic and the small number of us means that we have really had a chance to get close and supportive of each other.  I have made lifelong friends because of this show, which doesn’t always happen.”

I’ll have what they are all having, too, thanks. On all counts.

Finally, on the show itself, Director Kelly Roberts has this to say:

“At its core, Come From Away is about kindness. It shows how, in the toughest times, strangers can become family. That spirit will resonate strongly with Canberra audiences.”

And it certainly is.

Who would argue with having access to more kindness, more hope, and the opportunity to remember that the world remains as good as we are each prepared to make it?

Absolutely not me.

I will be heading here for more tickets to soak up as many performances as I can before the show closes on Saturday 18 October.

Feature image: Director Kelly Roberts, Cast; Tina Meir, Charlotte Gearside, Veronica Thwaites – Brown, Deborah O’Toole, Tracy Noble, Alissa Pearson. Credit: Bernie Ryan.