Fasten your seatbelts and buckle up for the celebrated musical Come From Away as it makes its supersonic descent on Belfast's Lyric Theatre

For an astounding two hours of jet engine energy, the St Agnes' Choral Society of Belfast serves up fun, feelgood and some of the finest singing you will hear this side of the Atlantic.

If, like me, you are of a vintage that recalls what they were doing on that fateful day of September 11 2001 when planes hit the Twin Towers in New York, the goings on in the small community of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada may have been lost on you. My 16-year-old guest was amazed by the story and was interested in the events of 9/11.

As the attacks grounded the global fleet of aircraft, 7,000 passengers in dozens of planes were redirected to Gander. The small community pitched in to feed, clothe, bed down and support the stranded men, women and children who came from all around the world.

This humanity-rich tale has led to Come From Away clinching four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway.

Popular tunes have gathered a dedicated following including the rousing Welcome To The Rock and In The Bar/Heave Away, which are delivered by the stage ensemble to near hairdryer treatment for the audience — such is the power of the cast's voices. The power-ballad story of one of America's first female commercial jet pilots, Captain Beverley Bass, is told through Me And The Sky, delivered by the pitch perfect and soaring vocals of Michelle Hannaway.

The strength of the stagecraft in this uplifting subject rests with the work rate of the cast who interchange characters, move with the action and revolving stage to full effect. The musicians weave into each act and segment and step into character as the bar band as the passengers explore the sudden hospitality of the Gander people.

Anyone who has experienced the misery of being stranded on a runway immediately identifies with the frustrations of the passengers, many who spend up to 28 hours inside an aircraft cabin. We meet the passengers stuck on board and clueless, confused and in the dark about the attacks. Many deal with their predicament by getting drunk with the free booze served up by the beleaguered cabin crew and the duty free.

We meet Kevin T (Gareth McGreevy) and Kevin J (Vijay Sharma) who fret about what the townspeople will think of their relationship, struggle with their love under stress and deal with their situation in very different ways. At the same time, love blossoms for Nick (Tony Young) and Diane (Antoinette McMichael). A mother’s love is explored in Hannah (Fiona Keegan) and her lament as she awaits news of her NYC firefighter son.

But it is not all plain sailing among passengers. Fear and emotions explode as they try to get news from home on pre-smartphone mobiles, and Muslim passengers are singled out for blame. It also takes a while for the passengers to learn to trust their hosts, to realise they are simply trying to help. The visitors move from bewilderment, sorrow and worry to trust and comfort in being guests of the Gander townsfolk.

The welcome leads to a happy reunion 10 years on when many of the passengers return to enjoy the Gander hospitality once again in the rendition of Years Later. We get the shoulder-to-the-wheel organisation in Blankets And Bedding. The hosts provide TV screens as well as medicine and care for pets and animals in the hold. The Legion bar lays on musical and traditional entertainment to help the stranded passengers blow off steam, and enduring friendships are forged.

Other strong performances come from Themba Mbondiya as Bob, Bláthnaid Carlin as Bonnie, Emma Nugent as Beulah, Fergal as Claude, Helen Smyth as Janice, and Martin McDowell as Oz, each bringing warmth and depth to their roles while embodying the spirit of the Newfoundland community.

“Come From Away is unlike anything we have done before,” says Director Rachel Logan-Fee. “It is raw, real and deeply moving, but also unexpectedly joyful. The story speaks to the soul of Belfast: ordinary people doing extraordinary things, pulling together in difficult times, and finding light in the darkest moments. Come From Away resonates deeply with audiences in 2025, counters the darkness in our world and restores faith in humanity and kindness.”

Come From Away is a testament to the bonds of humanity and hospitality amid traumatic global events. It ignites the power of a home in welcoming strangers regardless of sexual orientation, religion or race. Its message of love and tolerance takes us on a journey of harmony where we fly high and land safely, refreshed from our trip to Gander and a Newfoundland of hope.

Show runs until 13th September, Tickets are extremely limited for many of the performances, we suggest booking asap to avoid disappointment - book via this link https://lyrictheatre.co.uk/whats-on/come-from-away

Nicola McKee Photography, headshots by Joe Carberry Photography.