Ellesmere Musical Theatre Company’s Come From Away – 15 October 2026, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
After falling in love with the national tour of Come From Away in 2024, where it immediately became one of my favourite musicals of all time, a true modern classic, I will admit to being apprehensive when I heard Ellesmere Musical Theatre Company were taking on the Sheffield amateur premiere of the show. I know the company are great and keep getting better and better, but this is Come From Away. However I should have had far more faith, as after 11 years of reviewing they more than did it justice, producing one of, if not the very best, amateur productions I have ever had the privilege to see, giving me goosebumps throughout, so good that their performance should be the national tour!
Telling the story of the 38 commercial planes that were diverted to the tiny Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland during the tragic events of 9/11 (powerful use of video footage from the time will give everyone flashbacks) this is a beautiful and emotion packed story that will make you laugh and cry and fall in love with the each and everyone of the 50 different characters played by 12 actors.
All of the actors truly shone, caught each and everyone of their characters accents, personalities, their journeys, connections with each other and always respectful to those they represented. On set for the majority of the show, their clever direction thanks to Thomas Fox-Owens and choreographers Amber Alison Lee and Lily Abram felt natural and genuine, cleverly flowing and overlapping in their movement (with the chairs feeling a character in themselves) conversation and vocal arrangements. They got the very best out of the cast whilst staying true to what makes the musical so special.
Musical director Gareth Lloyd and his band brought the folk-infused Celtic score to life, beautifully accompanying clever multi-layed harmonies and their was not a note out of place. On stage throughout they had their moments to truly shine at Gander’s local bar in “Screech In” (a real Newfoundland tradition) that made the audience want to join in the fun and after the encore showing off their musical talents in front of the already standing audience.
I have already mentioned that the entire cast shone and perfectly portrayed multiple characters but their are several who deserve a special mention. Bethan Griffiths as the first female captain for American Airlines Beverley got to be the leading lady in her own number “Me And The Sky” and justifiably so with a truly stunning performance. In the original production I welled up when Hannah received news of her son but Sarah Morrell’s performance felt so genuine that this time I had tears streaming down my cheeks; Leo Appleton as Claude was exactly what you would imagine from a small town mayor without resulting to sitcom stereotypes; if Danielle Victoria as Bonnie is this great with animals you cannot see then think how amazing she will be with actual animals; and Emily Wilson as reporter on her first day Janice perfectly captured being thrown in at the deep end.
At it’s heart this is a show about love and understanding and Ashley Wilson and Phil Turner as the Kevins and Gina Holmes and Craig Lawton as Diana and Nick had wonderful chemistry as couples at both ends of the relationship journey and what happens when life is thrown at you. Ashley and Phil as the Kevins and Ashley as Ali and Shelby Foster as Bobbie also delivered a lesson to us all about prejudices both to others and perceived by ourselves. Ali’s was painful to watch in a good way at the airport and his character’s treatment will stay with me for a long time.
However this story is a lesson in us being stronger when we come together and from the uplifting opening number “Welcome To The Rock” to the finale everyone involved confirmed this, you should be immensely proud of yourselves, and I’m sure all the residents of Newfoundland and the passengers and crew on the planes would agree, and I love that in all the joy and heartache of the characters journey we were also given moments to reflect from the minute’s silence to “Prayer”.
This is a musical not to be missed by anyone who saw and fell in love with the national tour, missed the national tour or just loves musical theatre. It may not have an interval so that like the passengers you have to stay in Gander until it is time to go home, but I only wish I could have stayed longer and could return ever year.
