I was a bit ill yesterday hence the slightly delayed newsletter, but actually I think it all worked out seeing as today is World Mental Health Day. Raising awareness is super important, and very close to my heart as you know. But providing and showing support is also vital, which leads on perfectly to this week’s review of a beautiful show that is all about kindness and helping complete strangers…
AD - GIFTED. I received a free ticket to this show, however my review remains completely impartial!
Come From Away tells the story of Gander, Newfoundland - a small town that suddenly doubled in population following the closure of US airspace during the 9/11 crisis. The residents welcomed thousands of strangers and cared for them over several days before they could return home. It’s a heartwarming true story that is delicately told through the hit Broadway and West End musical.
I think it says it all that I made very few notes - I barely had time to look down. The 110-minute run time may seem daunting but in reality it just flows by. It’s never breakneck or rushed. The show boasts some of the best storytelling I have ever seen, handling multiple stories and characters with adept ease. When you tell people it’s about 9/11 you do get some scepticism, but it manages to both honour the incredible compassion of the citizens while carefully providing a tribute to those who were lost without it feeling overwhelmingly sad. Instead of promoting negative memories it leaves you with the sense that there is always good to be found in people, even in the darkest possible moments.
The show has been adapted slightly from the West End, mainly losing the revolve. I thought I would miss it but I actually only remembered about halfway through the show! The choreography has been very subtly tweaked to account for this. The music is gorgeous, encompassing the traditional sounds of the island perfectly. And it’s simply impossible to pick out one person in such a hugely talented ensemble - everyone brings something different with heartfelt dedication to their character’s tale.
But the highlight of the evening came from the curtain call where the show’s team thanked a very special person. Sadly Come From Away lost one of its biggest fans last year. Laura Townsend had seen the show more than 150 times! As a tribute to her, and also in keeping with the show’s message of kindness, friend Lydia Greatrix decided to follow the show around the country and ‘give it back’ to organisations local to the tour venues. The work she has been doing is phenomenal and she has helped so many people so far. This Saturday she is brightening people’s days by giving free coffee to strangers in Wimbledon! You can go along and get involved, or you can donate to the crowdfunder to support the wonderful work Lydia is doing. Check out her socials to find out more!
Come From Away in Wimbledon is pretty much sold out (except for tomorrow’s matinee) but there’s still several tour venues left if you want to catch the show. I’m heading to see it again in Chichester next month! This is one of my most recommended shows so if you missed it in London try and catch it locally this year.
Happy ticket-buying!
Rochelle ðŸŽðŸŽ«
Carrying the banner
In the news this week…
Future of Summerhall in jeopardy after ‘a winding up petition presented by HMRC’
Box Five Club fan hub launched for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals
I’m kind of a big deal
I was very lucky to see the West End transfer of the Donmar’s Macbeth this week, which stars the fantastic David Tennant and Cush Jumbo. It’s a really good revival, uniquely listened to through headphones for the entire 1 hour 50 minute run time.
Sadly the show is largely sold out. However there are still some ways of getting tickets and luckily they are absolute bargains! £25 tickets for the front row are available each morning at 10am directly from the Harold Pinter Theatre box office. I’ve sat in that front row before and the view is actually pretty good - the stage doesn’t seem too high. If you need to book online, there are £20 standing tickets available at 10am. You can also check the website regularly for returns.
If you can’t get tickets or see the production in London, they’ve just announced that it’s going to be filmed and released in cinemas from Feb 2025. Tickets go on sale on 16 Oct and you can sign up for updates.
Hey big spender
Here’s your discounts, offers and cheap seats this week.
🪑 New day seats alert! You can now get £25 day seats for Juno & the Paycock in the West End. They are available each day from 10.30am directly from Delfont Mackintosh. You can also get further £25 tickets for the week ahead each Wednesday at 10.30am. They all seem to be pretty good seats too!
Get £10 tickets to What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank for the rest of this week.
There’s cheap tickets for the Cinderella! panto at King George’s Hall in Blackburn. Use code PROMO to get them down to £11.25 until 11 Oct.
Get reduced tickets to There's a Monster in Your Show! in several tor locations - Grimsby, Barry, Cardigan, Ramsgate, Workington and Bridgwater. Use the code PROMO again for the extra reduction, making tickets start at just £11.65 each.
There’s currently a 24-hour offer for £15 tickets to Guys & Dolls. It’s through TodayTix but only in the app. Standing and seated tickets are included.
There’s some fantastic £15 circle seats for The Duchess starring Jodie Whittaker next weekend.
Get £15 tickets to A Face in the Crowd (lovely music by Elvis Costello in this one).
There’s lots of £15 tickets for the final performances of I Wish You Well - The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical this weekend.
Get £15 tickets to the National Youth Theatre’s The War of the Worlds.
There’s £15 tickets to Reykjavik.
Get £15 tickets to TINK at The Other Palace. Use code FAIRY15.
There’s £20 tickets for Kim’s Convenience.
And get best seats for £27.50 for Dracula in Bath. Use code BRAM2750, valid Thu-Sat eves.
Don’t throw away your shot
Competitions, on-sales and announcements.
The Old Vic has announced their Apr 2025 production The Brightening Air, a new play written and directed by Olivier Award winner Conor McPherson. Tickets are on sale as of today.
An adaptation of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book will transfer to the West End this Christmas. Tickets for the remaining tour dates as well as its stint at the Trafalgar Theatre in London are on sale now.
Lyric Hammersmith has just announced their 130th anniversary season which includes a female-centric Dracula and a new musical called Sing Street. Public booking opens 10am on 11 Oct.
The Park Theatre has also announced a new season including a reimagining of Antigone within an interactive media studio. Public booking opens 10am on 11 Oct as well.
Matilda is going on a new UK tour in 2025! Check the website for individual dates and on-sales.
Date for your diary: the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards will take place on 9 Feb and tickets for the ceremony are on sale now.
Six the Musical has just extended to Nov 2025 in the West End.
And finally, win two tickets to The Lehmann Trilogy.
That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed the newsletter, please tell your friends. I’m also open to suggestions and requests for certain discounts, so do drop into my DMs. Right, time for a relaxing night in working on my Come From Away cross stitch piece! 🪡