Hastings sell-out for 9/11 musical Come From Away

The show is the multi-award-winning musical Come From Away which Tara Buchanan, chairman of the Sedlescombe Players, is directing following its recent release to amateurs for the first time.

Come From Away was in Sedlescombe from February 25-28 and now plays at the Stables Theatre in Hastings from March 25-28.

It tells a remarkable tale.

On September 11 2001, as the world watched events unfold in horror, the US closed its airspace and Canada launched Operation Yellow Ribbon, to accept diverted flights and showcase their commitment to help those in need. Amidst the chaos, and with little notice, 38 planes carrying 6,700 passengers were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland (population 9,000), where they were stranded for five days.

1,500 volunteers mobilised within hours, organising thousands of beds in schools, halls and their own homes, preparing 285,000 meals, filling in over 2,000 prescriptions and sourcing medication. Residents donated clothes, toiletries, nappies and toys and joined SPCA volunteers to care for the animals in the airplane holds.

Come From Away was created from interviews with hundreds of people who were there – on the planes or in Gander, and all the characters portrayed were real.

The kindness shown to the visitors was extraordinary and a reminder of what matters. As Tara says: “In a world increasingly shaped by screens and distance, live theatre reminds us of our humanity through the power of storytelling right in front of us.

“I always knew that this was a very, very special show. It's very different to everything else I know and I'm pretty good at my musicals! It's a unique story portrayed in a very different way. It is almost like a play with music rather than a musical and it has been fantastic. It went brilliantly. We opened two extra performances two weeks before and they sold out. The word spread and the company has got a good reputation.”

And the word has caught up with the show at its next venue in Hastings: “We have done that before (ie had a gap between runs). I don't think you can move straight away and also the cast have jobs. They were quite tired after a fairly intense week. The play has no break. They are on stage 100 minutes straight through.

“And these were dates that suited The Stables. We opened an extra night there and we sold out. We decided to do a Saturday matinee and it became the fastest selling show that they've ever had there.

“The difference between the two venues is view. In Sedlescombe you're looking up and in Hastings you're looking down but oddly the two stages the same width. We have a rehearsal before going to Hastings but we've rehearsed this one for a long time, longer than we usually do and they were absolutely at the top of their game. In the past when we have had the second run, it has maybe been a little bit better but with one they were right on it.”

The play carries extra significance for Tara: “My father was one of the people on a flight diverted to Gander on 9/11 so the show is particularly poignant to me.

“The true story portrayed in this show is particularly powerful. When the world stopped in 9/11, kindness took flight and this small town showed us what it means to be human, opening its arms, homes and hearts to travellers from around the world.

“I hope it will make you laugh, cry and cheer – and leave feeling uplifted and reminded that compassion and kindness can change us all for the better.

The cast includes: Bob Murray, Chris Packham, Danielle Taylor, David Nicholles, Elle Brookes-Doolan, Gareth Brighton, Jess Wellard, Joanna Flay, Kitson Wellard, Lesley Van Egmond, Liz Eyre and Seth Ringrose.