Come From Away

Koorliny Arts Centre’s production of Come From Away, the WA Amateur Premier of this very popular show, has created quite a buzz, and the full, very theatrical crowd on Opening Night can testify that this production is very much worthy of the hype.

This story of the town of Gander, whose residents cared for thousands of people from stranded airplanes following September 11, has quickly become a modern classic.

Apart from the lack of a revolve and a reduced staged space, the set, choreography, costume and staging is almost identical to the Australian touring production, and Koorliny have assembled a band and cast with a talent that could, for the most part, easily swap into its professional equivalent.

Presumably working within strict guidelines, directors Katherine Freind and Allen Blachford, choreographer Allen Blachford, and costume consultant Melissa Kelly have excelled in replication, alongside excellent work from Lighting Designer Kat Brieden, to produce a high quality professional looking production, while Musical Director Kate McIntosh leading a six-piece band, and sound designer Johnathan Hoey have ensured that the show sounds just as great.

Very much an ensemble cast, the dozen actors work well as a team. Shannon Payette Seip, who auditioned by video and travelled from the USA to be in this production, shows depth as airline pilot Beverley and others. Gillian Binks played the romantic arc of Diane beautifully and switches seamlessly into other roles. Maree Cole wins hearts playing Bonnie, caring for dozens of animals from the planes, and shining in other roles. Lucy Eyre is, as always, a delight, playing no-nonsense Beulah and others, while Mahali is simply beautiful as Hannah, concerned for her missing son. Phebe Tempra is lovely as wide-eyed reporter Janice and other roles.

Tadhg Lawrence has a show stopping moment leading the song “Prayer”, which is simply stunning, as he plays Kevin T and other roles, with Bailey Bridgman-Peters playing the humour of Kevin T’s boyfriend, also called Kevin, as well as playing the quiet dignity of an innocent Muslim man under suspicion. Rea Selepe, Jason Nettle and Neil Young are all excellent in a plethora of roles, with Colan Leach nicely completing the cast as a very unlikely romantic-lead-of-sorts.

Very worth a gander (sorry) if you can manage to snaffle a ticket. This is one of the theatrical highlights of 2025.

Kimberley Shaw