Come From Away is a hit musical that has played in countless places across the globe, and is now hitting the Haymarket Theatre stage in Basingstoke, running from November 18th until November 22nd. Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) are currently in rehearsals getting this show ready for the stage (with shows beginning in just 9 days!), and I was lucky enough to get invited along to see what the company have created so far.
One may think a musical based around the diverted planes on the horrific day of 9/11 is an unusual choice of theme for a show, but this is a musical that is in a league of its own for how indescribably beautiful it is. Furthermore, Come From Away may sound like an ambitious musical for an amateur dramatic company, not least of all because it is not a musical to take on lightly. However, it is starkly obvious from the rehearsal alone that BATS clearly understand the sensitivity the show requires. There seems to be something very fitting about the rehearsal being carried out in an echoey church hall, very much in the theme of the show – it may not be perfect, but it does the job! As the company do a run-through of the show, I was left in awe at how they are all bringing this remarkable show and story to life so wonderfully.
Come From Away is very much a show for everyone; featuring the very well-known theatre songs such as ‘Welcome To The Rock’, ‘Me And The Sky’, ‘Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere’ and many more. It is a show that offers hope, inspiration, and a heck of a lot of emotion. From BATS’ performances of the show, you can also expect goosebumps, to smile, and to cry. And perhaps at times in the show, you may experience all of these emotions at the same time! I am someone, yes, who is emotional; however, when I am attending as a reviewer, I pride myself on being composed…well, it’s not often a show reduces me to tears, but I spent a large majority of the rehearsal with tears running down my face! So yes, this is a show to make you feel. Come From Away is a show that can warm even the hardest of hearts. A show that makes you feel something…Well, I think that’s something we should all welcome right now.
The cast of Come From Away traditionally is not very big, with a small cast playing many roles; what BATS have done is split roles up to allow for a bigger cast. I absolutely love this idea – you then get more people on stage, telling this story, and showing everyone what they can do. Despite this expansion of the cast, everyone still plays multiple roles throughout the show, and does a brilliant job – so many accents in one 110-minute show!
Something else clear from the rehearsal is that everyone in the company – on and off stage – is striving for perfection. With a stellar cast, director and choreographer Jenny Sawyer and assistant director Max Harwood (yes, the very same man from The Lightning Thief Musical in London), it is no wonder this show is already shaping up to be something very special indeed. All the BATS shows I have attended have been special, but this one is gearing up to be even more so. The choreography and movement look like it has come straight from the professional show itself! The BATS company are already absolutely doing this show and story justice; the love they have for this musical they’re putting on is so palpable, I think it could probably reach Canada itself and then back again.
This run of Come From Away may be an amateur dramatic version, but it does not look like there will be anything amateur about it. With there still being 9 days until doors open to the public, there’s not much left for BATS now apart from fine-tuning and finalising every last detail. As the final adjustments are made, I can only imagine how heartwarming the show will be in the theatre. Once the details such as set, props, lighting, sound and costume are combined with the incredible storytellers and wondrous vocals courtesy of the cast…well, then BATS’ Come From Away will be one show you definitely don’t want to miss.
I, for one, cannot wait to attend the show at the theatre, and of course, I will be sharing what I think shortly after.
BATS’ Come From Away runs at Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre from the 18th to the 22nd November.
You can find out more and buy tickets here: https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/bats-come-from-away.
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