Come From Away Review, November 2025 - One Show at a Time

Come From Away is the true story of a small town in Canada adapting and offering open arms to any who needed help after the awful 9/11 attacks. Through this show, BATS are showcasing a beautiful story of hope, having an open heart, and coming together when the world needs it most. From the rehearsal to the finished show, all the final details have come together, and team BATS have put on a show that demonstrates to everyone just how fantastic the company really can be. Whilst details such as lighting, costumes and set are not necessarily crucial for a show to be enjoyable, when these final touches are added, they only elevate the show further – BATS’ Come From Away is one such example of this. It was a real treat to be able to watch this beautiful musical be told by such a wonderful company.

Come From Away is very much a show where every single person on the stage is crucial, and every member of the cast was brilliantly skilled at embodying their characters across the duration of the show. The cast was made up of Hiro Fam, Nicola Morrin, Jenny Green, Sabrina Hinchliffe, Rutendo Mushambi, Laura Burrell, Richard Bond, Anna Neary, Michelle Anderson, Sally Manning, Holly Reedman, James Young, Ian Moseley, Liz Walsh, Jonathan Warriss-Simmons, and Dale Barrell. It was a joy to watch every single member of the cast stand on that stage and pour their heart and souls out. Everyone who stood on that stage is distinguished in their own right.

Thanks to Wells’ musical direction, every song sounded sublime, from the rousing group numbers such as the blood-pumping opening number ‘Welcome To The Rock’, to the stunning harmonies heard in ‘Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere’, Sally Manning’s performance as Hannah gives goosebumps in her rendition of ‘I Am Here, whilst ‘Me And The Sky’ performed by Sabrina Hinchliffe as Beverly Bass, was admirable to say the least. Jonathon Warriss-Simmons and MMichelle Anderson, as Nick and Diane, had a natural and endearing chemistry that felt authentic, and their performance of ‘Stop The World’ was so bittersweet. I could go on, but needless to say, everyone on that stage more than did their characters and the story justice. There is not one standout performer in this show; every single person stood out. The whole cast should be proud of the love, emotions and skilful performances they all delivered on that stage.

Come From Away is not an easy show. It is heavy and demanding and comes with high expectations, but BATS have taken this all in their stride. The choreography and movement, courtesy of Jenny Sawyer and Jade Hollingshead, is slick and perfectly precise. I got confused just watching all the chairs move around the stage, but the team made everything look seamless! The energy and emotions of such a taxing show were maintained at the highest level from start to finish, and the cast managed to balance the tender, heartfelt and heartbreaking moments, contrasted with the lighter, comedic moments perfectly. Everyone ensured that both their performances and the show were delivered with the utmost sensitivity and respect.

Come From Away really is the show the world needs right now, and there really is something in it for everyone. Whether you go alone or with friends or family, regardless of age, the one thing this show will do is make you feel. And that right there is a sure sign of good theatre – something that stirs emotion. Every show BATS puts on is special, but I think I can be bold enough to say that Come From Away is BATS at their finest. Not only have this company put on a fantastic show well worth seeing, but with this production, BATS rivals the West End. Come From Away may be a short show, but its impact is far from it, and lasts long after the final curtain.

Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time

Come From Away Review, November 2025 - Basingstoke Gazette

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

Max Harwood returns to BATS and ‘Pays it Forward’ as the Assistant Director for Come From Away

When I stepped back into Christ Church in Chineham, it wasn't like ten years had gone by! There are still people here that I love and I've known since I was a kid!"

Max Harwood's achieved a lot in the decade since he was last in the room where he's speaking to me. Back in 2015, he was here rehearsing for the Society’s production of Grease.

Plucked from drama school to play the lead role in the 2021 film musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, beating 3,000 other hopefuls, Max then went on to star in the West End shows Stranger Things and most recently Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief, as well as other projects. So what's brought him back to BATS?

"My best friend Rhiannon told me BATS were doing Come From Away, which is my favourite show - I'm absolutely obsessed with it. They were looking for people to help out and I emailed to say I was available over the Summer, as my sister was getting married. I had a meeting with Jenny Sawyer, the director, and she asked, "I need an assistant - will you come and assist me?"

Max giving his time and experience to BATS exemplifies the main theme of Come from Away - the community spirit shown by the people of Gander, Newfoundland. They opened their homes and hearts to 7,000 stranded aircraft passengers and crew after the 9/11 attacks.

"I'm hopefully bringing a bit of calm, a bit of knowledge, and a lot of passion to rehearsals. I discovered my love for theatre at BATS, so in a way I'm ‘paying it forward’."

"Every job you do, including this one, teaches you something. On my first job (Everybody's Talking About Jamie) I worked with Richard E. Grant who was learning to walk in heels. I told him I was nervous. He said he was nervous too, as he'd never walked in heels before! He said on every job you do, you have to go in with that nervous energy and be willing to learn and never stop learning. I think you do carry that from project to project."

"I'm always going to be acting as it's my passion. I'm also currently developing two projects of my own that I'm writing. But directing and assisting is something I'm keenly interested in, and would like to do more of in years to come. Working on Come From Away has been really formative, for sure."

See Come From Away from 19-22 November 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Hiro Fam talks about the Career and Cultural Connections he shares with his Character, Ali in Come From Away

In the musical Come From Away, the character of Ali is a master chef for an international restaurant chain.

That’s something the actor who plays him in BATS’ forthcoming production, Hiro Fam, aspires to!

“I’m a chef and run my own catering business, and I’d love to have my own restaurant one day,” says Hiro.

Ali is a passenger on an aeroplane that’s diverted to the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Hiro acknowledges another connection between Ali and himself.

“Other passengers are suspicious of him because he’s Muslim,” says Hiro. “I’m originally from Malaysia, which is a Muslim country. So I understand how Ali felt on the plane.”

Come from Away goes on to show how the people of Gander embrace the newcomers, and the whole community rallies in the wake of the terrible circumstances that have brought them all together. Ali makes sure everyone is fed.

“It’s a really positive message of community spirit,” says Hiro. “It’s about welcoming people with an open heart and treating them with respect for who they are.”

“I was adopted by a Chinese family and grew up in a multi-cultural country, so I also know a lot about community spirit.”
After a couple of shows with Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS), Come from Away is Hiro’s first time on stage with BATS. Appearing in musicals has been a long-cherished dream.

“For about 20 years, whenever I had a day off work, I’d go to London to watch a show! I’m a big fan! I always thought about how electrifying it would be to be on stage myself, and now I am! It gives me goosebumps and it feels like it’s where I belong!”

Appearing in Come From Away is an extra special experience, says Hiro.

“Every week in rehearsal you just fall in love more and more with the show and the characters. We’ve done a lot of research, we’re sharing everything we find out, and it’s very emotional!”

See Hiro in Come From Away from 19-22 November 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Sabrina talks about the Privilege and Challenge of Telling the Come From Away Story

“It’s a real privilege to tell this story,” says Sabrina Hinchliffe. “It’s something we all in some way lived through, so everyone can connect with it.”

Indeed, it’s hard to believe it’s now 24 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away is about how one community responded to that tragedy. 

Through a blend of storytelling and folk-rock music, we see how people in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, pulled together to support the 7,000 passengers and crew on 38 aeroplanes which were diverted to land there. 

Starring as Beverley, Sabrina Hinchliffe

Sabrina plays Beverley, the pilot of one of those planes.

“She’s a strong, powerful woman who’s worked hard to get where she is. She’s pushed through hearing the word “no” a lot. But when she’s stranded in Gander, you see the softer side to her, how concerned she is about her husband and children back at home.”

By day, Sabrina is a drama teacher and resident director at a school in Guildford. “I love exploring theatre with all different age groups”, she says. She also runs Project Theatre Company based in Woking, and has her own floristry business.

Sabrina’s played leading roles in musicals with companies across Surrey and Hampshire but Come From Away is her first show with BATS. 

“I love the show. When I first saw it in London I went in having no idea what it was about - and it really hit me hard, it was so moving. Since then it’s been one of my favourite shows and when BATS got the rights to stage it, I knew had to audition!”

Now the small ensemble cast is deep into rehearsals, how would Sabrina describe the experience so far?

“The whole process is a challenging one, but in the best way possible. We’re pushing ourselves in ways we haven’t been pushed before. It’s enjoyable, and it feels like an important thing to be able to do.”

“We’re a community, telling a story about community. The focus isn’t on sadness or tragedy, it’s on how they respond to that tragedy, with kindness and human connection.  It’s an uplifting story - and a really powerful piece of theatre.”

See Sabrina in Come From Away from 19-22 November 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. View show information and book tickets.