Come From Away - Phoenix / U.K & Ireland Tour 2024

I had no knowledge of this musical at all before seeing it. Although, I did know about the premise of the show.

It is a terrific, classy piece of musical theatre. It was surprisingly funny and played without sentiment which meant that the tragic moments hit harder. The entire company is a masterclass in ensemble performance - each having moments to shine but seldom leaving the stage and playing a myriad of characters easily, without confusion with just a change of a hat or jacket and accent.

It is simply but effectively staged on a revolve with a variety of chairs and a couple of tables but the show is in constant movement from the opening through to the end. The time flew - no sooner had the planes "landed" they seemed to be leaving. I was totally riveted throughout! Of course, everyone who is old enough can remember exactly where they were on that dreadful day 9/11 and this show packs the emotional punch of bringing back the "not knowing" of what was happening or why.

Rarely have I seen such a packed house laughing loudly one moment and then being completely silent the next - no coughing, no phones, no sweet wrappers -just intense silence in the moment. There are few moment for applause during the piece as it is driven on at a terrific pace but as the lights blacked out at the end, I have rarely witnessed an entire audience spontaneously spring to their feet in rapturous applause.

This will undoubtedly get good reviews and good word of mouth - I hope enough to be a smash hit - it deserves to be.

Edited to add that the view from the side stalls F2 was great - unrestricted as all the action takes place front and centre. I would not like to have been much further forward as the stage is very high and the front row very close and you would get severe neck ache looking up the entire time.

5 wicked stars!