THERE is precious little good that came out of 9/11 – but one heart-warming, true story from those tragic, desperate days was turned into a great musical, Come From Away, which has been chosen by Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society for its autumn 2025 show, from 14th to 18th October at the Westlands entertainment centre.

One small town … one big story … 38 planes … 7,000 stranded passengers. What happened next is one of the most inspiring true stories off our times, a reminder of the essential goodness and generosity of ordinary people in the most extraordinary circumstances.

Come From Away starts on 9th September 2001 in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland. The unique thing about Gander is that it has a huge airport – and it is this remote, rugged outpost that become the temporary home of 38 redirected planes and their nearly 7,000 passengers.

Through the stories of the people of Gander and some of those passengers, who came from all over the world, spoke many languages and followed different religions, Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s musical tells the amazing story of the days that followed.

Initially, unsurprisingly, the locals are thrown into chaos. With no time to prepare, they do something amazing and open their homes, their hearts and their lives to 7,000 strangers. The musical is a powerful reminder of kindness in the face of tragedy and how strangers became family.

Originally produced on Broadway, the show has been a critically acclaimed success and won numerous awards, including four Olivier Awards, as well as Best New Musical in London. The music is engaging and the stories are uplifting – it’s a great show and the Yeovil audience is in for a treat.

Come From Away is directed by Naomi Rose-Mock with musical direction by Matt Holman-Holmes.

Pictured are the cast – most of whom play countless different roles.

 

Photograph by Len Copland.