Come From Away: Cork group to stage tale of Newfoundland town on 9/11
Cast members and others gather for rehearsals of Come From Away, featuring students from the BA in Musical Theatre at MTU Cork School of Music. Picture: Leah O'Shea
The tragedy of 9/11 may seem an unusual and sombre topic for a musical.
However, when , inspired by the true story of a small Newfoundland town taking in stranded airline passengers in the wake of the attacks, opened on Broadway in 2017, it was an instant hit. The show is now being staged for the first time in Cork by the final year students of the BA in Musical Theatre at MTU Cork School of Music.
It is an invaluable opportunity for the students to stage a professional-standard production at the Everyman Theatre with the support of a hugely experienced creative team. The director is Killian Donnelly, the Kildare native who has had starring roles in a range of hit musicals in the West End and on Broadway, from to , and .
We meet at the rehearsal studios off Barrack St, which is a hive of activity as the young performers warm up for their run-throughs. Donnelly is feeling energised by the whole experience and is impressed by the novices’ stamina.
“They’re amazing, they’re like Marines,” he says.
The heartwarming story of how the people of Gander welcomed thousands of strangers into their lives and homes is as resonant as ever, and a much-needed reminder of the importance of kindness and connection in times of turmoil and adversity.
“It's very funny, and it's full of love, and full of heart. People will walk out of the Everyman with the most jubilant, wonderful feeling that they have witnessed a community and people working together,” says Donnelly.
He has also been moved by how the young cast has engaged with the subject matter.
“The cast weren't born when 9/11 happened and they all talk about their moms or their dads, how they connected with it. Me, Therese O’Sullivan, our choreographer, and David Hayes, the musical director, we all have a 9/11 story, and they want to hear it. They're interested in getting into the depths of it.”
Donnelly, who also worked on the MTU production of last year, enjoys passing on his hard-earned wisdom to the students, even though he occasionally has to remind himself that he’s directing, not performing.
“The urge is to get up and show them, and you can't do that. The best directors I've ever worked with talk and plant a seed. There are little moments where I'm like, ‘oh, well, if I was doing it, I'd get up and do this’ but I find that what they're offering is far greater than anything I could have come up with.”
Donnelly acknowledges that most of the students who want to pursue a career in musical theatre will have to move to London or beyond to gain more professional experience, as he did. He would like to see more Irish-produced shows providing further opportunities for homegrown talent, but is hopeful, with the Bord Gáis Theatre in Dublin staging and Cork Opera House putting on this summer.
There is certainly no lack of inspiration for young Irish performers starting out in the business — two of the hottest actors on the planet, co-stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, both started in musical theatre. Donnelly says it’s no accident as the training and experience — performers are often referred to as a ‘triple threat’, representing singing, dancing and acting — leads to well-rounded performers capable of tackling anything.
“Musical theatre teaches everything you need to know. We sing the narrative and we have to hold that space longer than you would do with dialogue. The music plays and you have to stand there while nothing happens and hold the attention of an audience,” he says.
While Donnelly is embracing being a director, performing is still his passion. He has been reprising the iconic role of reformed convict Jean Valjean in an ongoing tour of including performances in Australia and Japan, while he is also booked for New York in August.
The role of Valjean was originated by fellow Irish tenor Colm Wilkinson who memorably performed in in The Point theatre (now 3Arena) in Dublin in 1999. The arena tour hits the same venue this summer and Donnelly says it would be a dream come true to get the call.
“Everyone talks about Colm Wilkinson in at The Point. I want it to be Killian Donnelly in at The Point. If it’s not me, I’ll be there with a hurley at the stage door,” he laughs. “Fingers crossed,” he says, bounding out the door to usher a new generation on to the stage.
- MTU Cork School of Music presents Come From Away at The Everyman, Cork, Wed, Feb 11–Sat, Feb 14, 7.30pm; matinee, Sat, 2.30pm. everymancork.com
