St Agnes’ Choral Society’s production of Come From Away at the Lyric Theatre is a deeply moving and inspiring piece of musical theatre that left me reflective, uplifted, and in awe of the human spirit.
At its core, Come From Away is about community, kindness, and humanity in the face of crisis, and this production captured those themes with extraordinary feeling. The personal stories stood out vividly, particularly outstanding were Michelle Hannaway’s portrayal of the American Airlines pilot and Fiona Keegan’s moving depiction of Hannah O’Rouke, the mother of a firefighter lost on 9/11. Both delivered heartfelt, nuanced performances that anchored the show in raw emotion.
Rachel Logan Fee’s expert direction ensured the narrative flowed seamlessly. The decision to stage the production without an interval allowed the audience to sink fully into the interwoven storylines, heightening the emotional intensity.
The staging was minimalist yet highly effective. The use of simple chairs to transform spaces, a plane, a bar, a community hall, kept the focus firmly on the people and their stories. The “chairography” was subtle but clever, reinforcing the sense of place without distraction.
Performances across the cast were excellent, the ensemble worked together with remarkable cohesion, embodying the sense of community that lies at the heart of the show.
The live band added immeasurable energy, shaping the musical atmosphere with powerful, Celtic-influenced rhythms. High-energy numbers lifted the audience, while quieter moments of prayer and reflection drew us into the characters’ most vulnerable experiences.
The audience was fully invested throughout, there was laughter, there were tears, and the show closed to a well-deserved standing ovation. The balance of poignancy and uplift was pitch-perfect.
This was a production that was impressively professional and thoughtful. The onstage chemistry, coupled with the shared sense of purpose among the performers, amplified the show’s themes of solidarity and compassion.
For me, Come From Away also offered a new perspective. I was ten years old on September 11th, and while I grasped the enormity of the tragedy, I had little awareness of the ripple effects, the redirected flights, the hospitality of Gander, the small communities who opened their arms to strangers. This production illuminated that side of the story with warmth, resilience, and hope.
You will laugh, you will cry, and you will leave reminded of the extraordinary kindness people are capable of in extraordinary times. St Agnes’ Choral Society’s Come From Away is an outstanding production, and for me, it earns full stars.
Review by Love Belfast/Lucy Garrett
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