CLOC Musical Theatre Company | Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Our Come From Away review takes us to Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall for CLOC Musical Theatre Company’s uplifting production of this remarkable musical.
2026 seems to be turning into the year of discovering musicals I’ve never seen before, and Come From Away is, I believe, the fifth new production I’ve experienced this year.
What a pleasant surprise this one turned out to be!
Given its origins in the events of 11 September 2001, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What I discovered was a wonderfully lively, entertaining and often humorous musical that never loses sight of the extraordinary real-life events at its heart.
Presented by CLOC Musical Theatre Company at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Come From Away tells the true story of what happened in the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, following the terrorist attacks on America.
When American airspace was closed, 38 aircraft were diverted to Gander International Airport, bringing thousands of unexpected visitors to a community suddenly faced with an extraordinary challenge.
What followed was a remarkable demonstration of generosity, compassion and human kindness as the local residents opened their homes and hearts to complete strangers.
And it is this remarkable story that forms the heart of the musical.
One of the most impressive aspects of this production is the versatility of its cast.
With many performers taking on two or three different characters, the ensemble moves between the residents of Gander and the stranded airline passengers, bringing a whole collection of individual stories to life.
It is a demanding approach to storytelling, requiring performers to switch characters, accents and personalities while maintaining the momentum of the production.
It would be difficult, and perhaps unfair, to single out any one performer in a production where the entire company works so effectively together. Nevertheless, there were several performances worthy of a special mention.
It was particularly lovely to see Teresa Biddell back on stage and singing again for the first time in many years, while Alex Nash and Sam Rogers delivered some wonderful spotlight moments that showcased their vocal talents.
Erin Moody also deserves recognition. Having watched her progress from youth theatre into senior company productions over the years, it is always a pleasure to see that development continue on stage.
And a mention, too, for John Biddell, who brought the character of Gander’s Mayor to life.
These are personal highlights rather than an attempt to rank individual performances. The real strength of Come From Away lies in its collective achievement, with every member of the company contributing to the storytelling, musical numbers and emotional impact of the production.
It is very much an ensemble piece, and CLOC’s cast embraced that challenge beautifully.
One of the most striking aspects of the production is just how much can be achieved with so little.
The entire show takes place on a single set, with tables and chairs providing much of the scenery.
Through clever positioning and movement, these simple pieces of furniture transport the audience between aircraft cabins, the airport and the various locations around Gander.
It is a wonderful reminder that effective theatre doesn’t necessarily require elaborate scenery. Sometimes a talented cast, imaginative staging and a compelling story are more than enough.
A particularly interesting feature is the use of video projections on the rear wall, including footage of real people from Gander whose experiences are represented in the musical.
These moments provide a connection to the actual events, reminding the audience that behind the theatrical performances are real people and genuine stories.
Music plays an essential role throughout the production, with a distinctly Irish and Celtic flavour reflecting Newfoundland’s musical heritage.
The score brings tremendous energy and movement to the storytelling, helping the production shift between moments of humour, uncertainty and emotion.
Rather than stopping the action for conventional musical numbers, the songs are woven into the narrative, allowing the story to unfold with an almost continuous sense of momentum.
Musical Director Chris Corcoran and Choreographer Teresa Biddell deserve recognition for their contributions to the musical energy and movement of the production.
The combination of music, choreography and ensemble performance gives the show a wonderfully lively atmosphere, while never allowing the entertainment to overshadow the story’s more serious origins.
Presented in a single act, with no interval, Come From Away runs for approximately 90 minutes.
The uninterrupted format suits the production particularly well, allowing the audience to follow the developing relationships and experiences without breaking the flow of the story.
Although the musical is rooted in one of the darkest days in modern history, its focus is not on the tragedy itself but on the remarkable response of a community thousands of miles away.
There is plenty of humour alongside the more poignant moments, and an underlying message that feels as relevant today as it did in September 2001.
Director and producer Joyce Eyre deserves considerable credit for bringing this ambitious production to the Sutton Coldfield stage.
In her programme notes, Joyce explains that the original musical was written for 12 principal performers, with those actors also taking on numerous supporting roles.
CLOC expanded the company to 17 performers, allowing additional cast members to become part of the ensemble.
The challenge of creating so many different locations using just 18 chairs and a couple of tables was clearly considerable, but the result demonstrates how effective imaginative direction and confident ensemble work can be.
Joyce also reflects on the challenges of the production, describing it as unlike anything she has worked on in nearly 40 years of amateur theatre.
That experience and commitment are evident in the finished production.
Credit must also go to Going Dark Theatrical Services for the brilliant and atmospheric lighting, Martin Hudson for sound, and the technical and backstage teams, whose work with scenery and projected imagery helps create the changing atmosphere throughout the show.
The entire company, both on stage and behind the scenes, can take considerable pride in what they have achieved.
CLOC Musical Theatre Company has delivered a lively, funny and emotionally engaging production that never forgets its roots or the extraordinary true story behind it.
Congratulations to Joyce Eyre and everyone involved in bringing this remarkable story to Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.
A wonderful reminder that, even in the darkest moments, humanity has the capacity to shine.
