Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) has taken to the stage with its eagerly awaited production of Come From Away. The musical, which has captivated audiences on both the West End and Broadway, shares the true story of Gander, a small Newfoundland town that suddenly found itself with thousands of stranded passengers following the 9/11 attacks. It is a story of resilience and the best of humanity, made all the more poignant by the fact that the characters are inspired by real people.
As someone who’s seen the professional productions in Toronto, London, and most recently on tour in Southampton (yes, I’m a huge fan), I was genuinely excited to see how BATS would approach it. Being the first amateur group in Hampshire to secure the rights, the group was one of 500 applicants when they first became available, and Basingstoke should be so pleased that they were successful.
The opening night, held on Tuesday, November 18, for local charities and community heroes, was nothing short of electric.
Sally Manning gave a breathtaking performance as Hannah, one of the ‘plane people’ desperately trying to reach her firefighter son in New York. Her renditions of ‘I Am Here’ and ‘Something’s Missing’ had the audience completely captivated, sharing every emotion with her.
Hiro Fam also made a striking BATS debut as Ali, a Muslim chef of Egyptian heritage who faces distrust from some fellow passengers and airport staff. It’s a challenging role, but like Hannah, the audience truly felt for him thanks to his sensitive and powerful portrayal.
Special recognition is due to Dale Barrell (police officer Oz) and Holly Reedman (TV reporter Janice Mosher), who both embodied their characters with authenticity and consistency, particularly impressing with their accents.
Of course, if you've seen the professional production, you'll be aware of the iconic jacket swapping as actors take on multiple roles. With a larger cast, this production does lack that element, but in return we do get to see more local talent, which is always a bonus.
The technical team faced an enormous challenge with this production, as the world of Gander is created using only tables, chairs, jackets and lighting. With reportedly over 1,000 cues, the sound and tech crew were the unsung heroes, bringing the magic of Gander to life behind the scenes.
Megan Stanley
Basingstoke Gazette