A “life-changing” musical about the aftermath of 9/11 will be performed in Dublin next month.
Come From Away dramatises the true story of a small Canadian town who found themselves hosting thousands of travellers when flights were grounded across North America.
One woman interviewed by the playwrights was pilot Beverley Bass, who was flying from Paris to Dallas, Texas on September 11th.
“We learned about the attacks when we were westbound over the north Atlantic,” she told Lunchtime Live.
“Shortly thereafter, we learned that the New York airspace was closing and then all of US airspace would be shut down.
“So, we knew were going to be diverting somewhere in Canada and we presumed it would be one of the larger cities.
“We quickly learned we were being sent to Gander, Newfoundland.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your favourite musical speaking... 😆
The Come From Away UK & Ireland Tour is officially open! 🌍💙💛 pic.twitter.com/qNBPqjBFE8
— Come From Away UK (@ComeFromAwayUK) March 5, 2024
In the era before smartphones, Ms Bass was aware that there had been a terrorist attack but knew very little else about what was going on.
“It was the not knowing,” she said.
“It was a very clam cockpit for us, we were just dealing with an unknown.
“Nobody got real anxious or anything because we just didn’t know any details.
“It was just so foreign to us.”
The World Trade Center in New York.In total, the pilots, crew and passengers stayed in Gander for five days and it was a period in Ms Bass’s life that she will never forget.
“I went back for that 10 year anniversary and met the playwrights,” she said.
“They interviewed hundreds of people and several of us are represented in the musical Come From Away.
“It’s named as such because if you’re not born in Newfoundland, they say you’re ‘come from away’.”
"I think this musical is changing people's lives throughout the world." Claude Elliott, Former Mayor of Gander.
We're forever in awe of the people of Newfoundland and the kindness they showed during September 2001. 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/dUD4uJsInJ
— Come From Away UK (@ComeFromAwayUK) September 12, 2023
There were only 500 hotel rooms in Gander but the community pulled out all the stops and found travellers places to sleep in fire stations, churches and even people’s homes.
Throughout their stay, they were treated with the utmost kindness and compassion.
“Their population was 9,400 people at the time,” Ms Bass said.
“We were nearly 7,000 passengers and crew that showed up unannounced in about three and a half hours.
“So, Gander and the surrounding communities all came together, they cooked nonstop - every passenger got three hot meals a day.”
The @ComeFromAwayUK story is inspired by the kindness & generosity of the people of Gander, Newfoundland. 🌍
And for the people of Belfast, there's an extra chance to see this amazing true story musical 👉 Tickets now available for 5pm on 28 June.
👀 Gander, 2001 pic.twitter.com/W6XdLnD1IW
— Grand Opera House, Belfast (@gohbelfast) May 30, 2024
Ms Bass describes it as the “most amazing event” and hopes people never forget people in Gander’s “kindness and generosity”.
“It’s a story that a lot of people are not aware of,” she said.
“I wanted the whole world to know the story and Come From Away is giving people that opportunity - which is so awesome.
“It is a beautiful story.
“Everyone who walks out after the show is so grateful that they saw it.
“It’s life changing.”
Come From Away will be showing at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin between 11th and 22nd June.
Main image: Officials and first responders arrive for a memorial ceremony Sunday, September 11, 2011 in Gander, NL to mark the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Picture by: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
