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22 June 2025
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5*****
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The remarkable story of the displaced people when US airspace was closed following the 9/11 attacks and the town of Gander in Newfoundland where many ended up for some days was developed into a small-scale musical – with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein – which has grown in stature over the years. Hugely successful around the world, it has now been released to the amateur world and the UK South West Premiere was presented by Axminster Musical Theatre. I was due to review the professional touring recently, but missed it due to illness, and although I don’t usually review a production I haven’t been asked to, I felt this was an opportunity to put some thoughts down.
Any show which is set up to run for 110 minutes without an interval is one which has confidence in itself; it is a confidence well founded. This is a small show about big subjects and, because it is a deeply human piece it will always be relevant – and many aspects of its relevance have been highlighted in recent months.
This production is outstanding. What was placed before the audience was as professional a piece of theatre as I have seen. Story-telling is everything and with a cast of just twelve with no big dance numbers, no set pieces, so spectacular scenery, the Company do complete justice to the words and music. The set is spare – slatted back wall, some tall trees; just representative – and a mix of wooden chairs and a couple of tables – nothing more is needed. Lighting and sound are effectively used to enhance the atmosphere. The band is set around the edges of the stage and into the wings, which are not hidden from view.
The cast leave the stage momentarily throughout, the vast majority of the time they are engaged in the action, playing multiple characters and moving chairs, tables, setting props and costumes, all with a precision which underlines the complete organisation and detailed direction that the show needs.
The cast move with stealth as they morph from one character to another; and yet, it is so effective that you never question who someone is; they all have a base character who you feel you get to know intimately. It would be invidious to pick any individual out; so, Steve Miller, Rowena Durrant, Rachel Hiland, Ash Bolt, Gemma Waterfields, Silvey Binmore, Sally Cregan, Richard Cregan, Regan Meadowcroft, Greg Horton, Cai Sutherland and Kelly Apps, your performances were uniformly tremendous and it was an utter pleasure to see your work. The characterisations are spot on as are the accents – the Newfoundland accent is heavily influenced by early Irish settlers and this came over so well.
The music has a folksy, Irish flavour and the use of the fiddle, the whistle and the  bodrán creates a wonderful accompaniment; the orchestra of Joseph Binmore, Peter Manfield, Jenny Campbell, Gill Crew, Dave Easeman, Frazer Morgan, Andy Turner and Glyn Rattenbury are superb. Just superb. Under Joseph Binmore’s musical direction the cast – who are all blessed with great voices, sing the beautiful songs with heart and with joy – the incredibly moving ‘Prayer’ is a real highlight.
There is enormous humour as well, with many laugh out loud moments – the gay couple (both called Kevin), trying to keep their relationship secret is just hilarious. There is tenderness with Nick and Diane and there are utterly heartbreaking moments; it is impossible not to be deeply moved as Bonnie talks to the chimpanzee near the end of the show.
Movement is significant throughout – sometimes synchronised and, at one point, they break into dance splendidly executed by the cast and expertly choreographed by Carly Poole, who is also Assistant Director.
This is a complex and demanding piece of theatre and needs a someone with considerable theatrical nous to get it on to the stage and David Duthie has ticked all the boxes and more. It is a huge achievement in direction and judgment. So easily the show could drift, the pace falter or the performances not quite get there. Not so, it has been directed with care love and commitment.
Invigorating, uplifting and drenched in human spirit, I may not have caught the professional tour when planning to see it in Plymouth, but I am rather glad I caught it in Axminster. This production is so worthy of praise, I doubt I will see better anywhere for a long time.
Cast
Claude – Steve Miller
Bonnie – Rowena Durrant
Beulah – Rachel Hiland
Oz – Ash Bolt
Janice – Gemma Waterfields
Beverley – Silvey Binmore
Diane – Sally Cregan
Nick – Richard Cregan
Kevin T – Regan Meadowcroft
Kevin J – Greg Horton
Bob – Cai Sutherland
Hannah – Kelly Street
Voice of Muhumuza – Joseph Musee Kiema
Creatives
Book, Music, Lyrics – Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Director – David Duthie
Assistant Director/Choreographer – Carly Poole
Musical Director – Joseph Binmore
Lighting and Sound – Seventh Wave Audio
Wardrobe – Debbie Bradley
Props – Caitlin Boxell
Dialect Coach – Naomi Rose-Mack
Set Construction – Friends of the Society
Stage Manager – Richard Boxell
Photo Credit – Axminster Musical Theatre
