"Come From Away" by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.

Carlton Operatic Society.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I really look forward to Carlton Operatic Productions because I know that they will be so easy to review. This is because I know practically everyone involved on (and off) stage and I know their calibre and the work ethic that they apply to anything that they put their name to.

This is the third time seeing this musical and it gets better at every viewing, and I adore the Celtic infused soundtrack. Being part Irish myself I can never keep my feet still at the sound of a fiddle and a bodhran.

"Come From Away" shares the real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland town of Gander community that invited these "come from aways" into their lives with open hearts.

The comedy is so gentle and in abundance, balancing perfectly with the obvious confusion and terror from the passengers who had no idea what was happening and the reason for their flights' diversions. There's emergency panic from the townsfolk who had no idea as to how many people to expect and where they were going to put them up, or how to feed them.

The feeling of comradery though becomes infectious with even Walmart staff offering them to come home with them for a shower!! Can you imagine that being offered by an Asda employee? (other supermarkets are available of course).

Strangers become friends, and friends become lifelong friends, some even staying in the town, and some become even closer friends. But of course, there's those who lost family and friends because of what happened on September 11 2001, and they are also remembered.

Many of the stories related were not known about until this musical, let's face it the pregnant Bonobo monkey or the cat who was on tablets didn't make front page news, but is equally as interesting to hear about, as well as Bonnie Harris who realised that there would have been animals on the planes and, as she worked in an animal shelter, made it her job to go looking for them, and caring for them.

The stories of the local news reporter, who had just started working for the TV company, the Mayor Claude Elliott, the Police Officer, the female flight staff, as well as the passengers, some of which didn't speak English and had specific dietary needs, the party of children who were travelling over as part of the "Make A Wish" foundation, so many different people of different ages and religions, all scared and unaware of the horrors that were unfolding on that day.

It also depicts how in a situation like this, people can also become very wary of some people and treat them very differently, especially if they are Middle Eastern, the horror and embarrassment of a strip search before they let him on the plane told in such a way that you almost feel ashamed for what he had been put through, just because of his religion.

There's also the story of the gay couple, Kevin and Kevin, who didn't want to reveal their relationship for fear of a backlash, and the Jewish man who discovered that one of the Gander residents was also Jewish, but had never revealed that fact.

There are so many wonderful human stories that are woven into this wonderful comfort blanket of life happenings, all bought about by such a sad turn of events by such evil forces. The resilience and love though won through.

I very rarely look through the cast list before the show, especially when it's such a big production as this, because I love spotting people who I know from other societies, and there are plenty to spot in this production. It's a great credit to see so many actors also wanting to be a part of these big productions that Carlton Operatic Society stage, some actors who have been tempted back to the stage after a theatrical hiatus and some who are making their debuts with Carlton Operatic Society.

Here's the list of the characters and the wonderfully talented actors who bring this true story back to the Nottingham stage....

Daniella Anderson (Patsy), Meghan Borg (Janice), Joe Butler (Margie/Micky), Jennifer Chatten (Martha), Adam Collishaw (Dwight), Claire Collishaw (Crystal/Brenda). Poppy Cook (Annette), Aston Fisher (Beulah), Maddie Gradwell (Bonnie), Cliff Hart (Doug), Chris Heeley (Garth/Matty), Sarah Hill (Linda), Sam Howard (Brenda's Brother/Eddie), Celine McKeown (Britney), Gavin Owen (Oz/Terry), Katie Waller (Janet), Graham Ward (Claude/Derm) and Bekki Wilson (Patricia).

These are the Newfoundlanders who received the planes and the people and welcomed them into their homes and hearts.

The Come From Aways are just as star studded....

Wendy Austin-Giddings (Diane), Charlotte Barrington (Flight Attendant), Paolo Ellis (Kevin J), Oliver Wheddon (Kevin T) who I've not seen in over a year; so good to see him back on stage again. Lizzie Fenner (Maria), Tobias T Fries (Muhumuza), Fabian Golding-Williams (Captain Bristol), Riley Halls Backler (Joey/Rabbi), Hannah Haywood-Cupitt (Roxanne), Stacey Ireson (Winnie), Lindsey Jaycock (Sara), Alice Kirkby (Lisa), Joseph Straw (Bob), Helen Taylor (Lana), Kate Taylor (Hannah), Sarah Thompson (Delores), Helen Tunnicliff (Ali/Mr Michaels), Darren Ward (Nick) and Abby Wells (Beverley).

This show is truly an ensemble piece of theatre that was non stop, and Carlton Operatic Society have increased that ensemble to allow more people to be involved in such a wonderful story, which in turn also depicts a bigger Gander community, and the sound of everyone singing together sounded like a heavenly choir.

Directed and Choreographed by Rachael Rees. This is a show where the timings have to be spot on and the choreography the same. The transitions from scene to scene were almost invisible in their application, the chairs, tables etc just seemed to appear by magic, but that will be because you are so focused on the storytelling by the actors that everything around them seemed not to exist until they moved away, and suddenly a whole new scene appears.

The choreography is gorgeous and I especially loved the playout section following on from the bows where the whole company join to dance to the playout music of Celtic music, almost like attending a Ceilidh. There was no way I was not going to get to my feet and have a little Irish jig and clap along with such infectious dancing; the perfect ending to a perfect show.

Musical Director is Chris Rees, and as I have said earlier, I love the sound of Irish music and Chris and his orchestra created a very authentic Irish sound, I'm surprised they were not all dressed in green. Absolutely beautiful music throughout.

The set itself  was supplied by Scenic Projects, but I was so invested in the storytelling and the action that I didn't take that much notice. Absolutely no disrespect to Scenic Projects but my eyes didn't stray from the stage area all the way through.

I've mentioned the stage transitions and in charge of stage management are Vicky Johnson, Deputy Stage Manager Nigel Newton and Assistant Stage Manager Ellis Jones. A stage management dream team if ever there was one.

Talking of dream teams Tom Mowat is the Lighting Designer and Rob Kettridge is Sound Designer, assisted by George Wilson. Sound and light complementing the other.

Costume Coordinator is Charlotte Turpin.

Props Coordinators are Patrick Humphreys and Carole Ellis who obviously had no problems locating a cod to kiss and an Ugly Stick; both props vital to one section of the production.

The programme is wonderfully educational. Designed by Chris Rees and Helen Tunnicliff, you'll find the usual cast biographies and rehearsal photographs but some fascinating sections on some of the original Come From Aways from 2001 as well as information about Newfoundland. 

Can you believe though that 9/11 was twenty five years ago, making this production even more poignant. I think everyone can remember exactly what they were doing when the news of the first plane hit the first of the Twin Towers; I know I can remember every detail of where I was and what I was doing. Carlton Operatic also have a series of Facebook posts telling what some Nottinghamshire people were doing when this happened as well as several other posts about that day, which make for fascinating insights locally. This information is sourced by Celine McKeown.

The musical has no interval and is sung almost straight through.

There's also a collection after the performances to collect for the Fire Fighters Charity, so please give generously if you're able.

"Come From Away" is at the Nottingham theatre Royal until Saturday 30 May, so get prepared to kiss the cod, and welcome to the rock!