Come From Away is on at the Empire right now – and here’s why you’ve got to see it

We’ve all heard the proverb ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ – and while it’s easy to roll your eyes at what seems like such a cliché, the story behind this award-winning, hand-clapping, get-you-on-your-feet musical proves it’s absolutely true.

So when it comes to feel-good, heart-warming theatre, you’re not going to get better than Come From Away.

You’ll smile, you’ll laugh, you may even have to wipe away the odd tear, but you’ll walk out of the Empire feeling that, in spite of everything, the world’s not such a bad place – and the people in it (or most of them) are actually pretty awesome.

Come From Away is based on real events that happened after the 9-11 terror attack when all air-traffic was halted, and planes were diverted away from US skies.

It meant 38 planes with 6,700 passengers on board were forced to land at Gander airport on the Canadian island of Newfoundland for five days, almost doubling the town’s population.

And amid the confusion and fear, the local community sprang into action, turning buildings into emergency accommodation; opening up their homes; emptying supermarkets of toothbrushes, toiletries and toys, and cooking up a storm to feed them.

With a simple stage set, the hard-working cast become islanders and passengers as they change roles to tell the fast-moving story – and it’s stuff to feed the soul.

You see the kindness and humour, and the camaraderie, that comes out of adversity as you board this rattling rollercoaster filled with emotion.

And there’s never a dull moment as the stage comes to life with amazingly choreographed dance routines, rip-roaring and moving songs, and music that comes from the most energetic band on stage with them.

Rarely will you see a bunch of actors so fired up by the stirring tale they have to tell, with such passion and joy that clearly fuels every moment and movement … or with such talent that makes it seem effortless and means every accent and note is pitch-perfect.

The story doesn’t hold back on some of the less palatable happenings, like the Muslim passenger treated with suspicion, the gay couple who worried about the welcome they’d get from such a small town, or the fights that broke out when tensions got too high.

But overwhelmingly, it reassures us that in times of crisis people come together for good.

Come From Away got the most deservedly rapturous standing ovation from an audience that tapped its feet and clapped so loudly it drowned out even the sound of trains thundering past the Lime Street venue. No matter where you Come From, Go to see it.