When the USA was hit by terror on 11 September 2001, 4,000 planes were on the wings with destinations in the States. Suddenly the airspace was closed, and these planes had to turn around or find another landing place. 38 of them even landed at the airport right next to the small town of Gander in Newfoundland in Canada, where the population almost doubled in the blink of an eye. The musical “Come from Away” is about those September days in Gander and is based on what really happened. HELPS: The passengers on the plane most of all need to call home – in a time when mobile phones were not as common as they are now. But in Gander they found what they had to help. Photo: Sebastian Dalseide The local population turned around, arranged food, places to sleep, fellowship and comfort for the many thousands who still did not know what had happened to the world. For several of them, the stay in Gander changed their lives. Some found each other, others were abandoned. The experience of being welcomed with open arms was surprising. If one was not an Arab, then, or a Muslim. Little dwelling on the difficult Because the musical is based on real events where community and solidarity are the most important, it is situations and feelings that are the driving force. There is no decisive action where a challenge must be solved for the hero. In the city, you are presented with many stories. All twelve shoe players have at least two roles each. Everyone plays local people in Gander and a passenger on a plane. FINN QUARANDRE: Sweet music arises between British Nick (Jon Ketil Johnsen) and American Diane (Kjersti Elvik). They can thank Gander for the fact that love arose. But will love survive? Photo: Sebastian Dalseide There are many shifts, but it flows well and is well choreographed. The disadvantage is that you don’t get under the skin of any of the characters. It may have to do with the many shifts, but also with the happy basic atmosphere in the musical, there is not much dwelling on what is difficult. Not even for the mother with a son who is a firefighter in New York, and who after several days has still not been dealt with. Caricatured and rushed The energy in “Come from Away” is nothing to say. It actually starts quite hectic. In several passages, everyone talks at each other’s mouths and someone has to interrupt with a shout to get the group together. It seems caricatured and rushed. In addition, the tempo is fast in the joint number, so that parts of the text disappear. But there is good pressure and high energy in the ensemble. LOCAL TRADITIONS: The flight passengers are introduced to local culture – among other things a tradition that involves kissing cod. Photo: Sebastian Dalseide The music has strong elements of folk rock, and it fits well for an island community. The orchestra has very good drive. Some of the shoe players get time and space to slow down, sing roles and land a bit in the scenes. Among them is Elisabeth Hammersbøen Rustad. She plays a very good role as a dedicated flight captain and is the best soloist in the cast. It is also interesting that the musical places the flight captain at the center, she becomes a symbol of a professional group whose working life changed that day, but also a symbol of equality and professional pride. CREATIVE PROPS: Office chairs are used effectively to illustrate passengers on a plane. Photo: Sebastian Dalseide Director Markus Virta has recently staged the same musical in Sweden, and uses many of the same tools in Bergen. Among other things, he uses office chairs as effective props to depict the passengers who sit close together in a plane. Important message The play says a lot about how one welcomes strangers. A gay couple is afraid to show that they are in a team, but in Gander there is zero problem. The only one who faces skepticism is the character from Egypt. In his play, Thomas Bipin Olsen brings to the fore the fear and suspicion that many people of Arab appearance experienced in 2001 – a skepticism that took root. HOMOPHIL: How many queers are there in Gander? Quite a few, it turns out. Photo: Sebastian Dalseide It is as if Olsen asks all of this with him in the brief glimpses we get of the Egyptian character. It is an important contribution to this feel-good story that the pain the Egyptian knows is allowed to take place. “Come from Away” is, on the whole, a cheerful musical, and it is well done in Bergen. At the same time, he tells a story that most of all resembles a utopia. The musical has quite a few melodies that have stuck with posterity, but is filled to the brim with an important message: People want good things when they get the chance. news reports Photo: Sebastian Dalseide Title: “Come From Away” City: Den Nationale Scene Script, music and lyrics: Irene Sankoff and David Hein Translated by: Håvard Rem Director: Markus Virta Genre: Musical Musically responsible: Helge Lilletvedt Set designer: Stine Martinsen Lighting designer: Palle Palmé Dramaturg: Idun Vik, Lillian Bikset Cast: Birgitte Velsvik, Elisabeth Hammersbøen Rustad, Hilde Trætteberg Serkland, Hugo Mikal Skår, Jon Ketil Johnsen, Kjersti Elvik, Knut Erik Engemoen, Kristoffer Sagmo Aalberg, Lykke Kristine Moen, Mari Lerberg Fossum , Thomas Bipin Olsen, Tormod Løvold Orchestra: Helge Lilletvedt – Kapellmeister / keyboards and accordion, Anders Sæbø Bitustøyl – bass, Morten Færestrand – guitars, Laila Kolve – flutes, Mari Persen – violin, Øyvind Skarbø – percussion, Thomas Sinclair Valeur – mandolin guitar and Bouzouki, Stian Villanger – drums Inspector: Kjell Arve Vorland Light master: Geir Hovland Stage technical manager: Even Kråkenes Costume manager: Vibeke Sebak Ma crazy: Mette Noodt Props: Espen Røen, Cathrine Hopstock Singing instruction: Daniel Norum Dresser: Simen Mustvedt Prompter: Britney Elise Sudmann-Mack Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes (no intermission) Hi! I review theatre, performing arts and dance for news as a freelancer . Also read my reviews of “Kristin Lavransdotter” at Det Norske Teatret, of the play “Don Juan” at Trøndelag Teater or “Snøsøstera” at Det Norske Teateret. If you are interested in reading more about performing arts, check out the reviews in the links below:
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“Come from Away” at Den Nationale Scene – news Culture and entertainment
