Theatre group performing Come From Away discovers real life links to September 11
Family link to 9/11 story behind Stirling's Come From Away production.
Article Source: SABOS
Last Updated: 23 March 2026 15:37
Image: Elouise is pictured centre of trio.
Stirling’s oldest musical theatre society is preparing to bring the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away to the stage at the Macrobert Arts Centre this week (24 to 28 March), and for one cast member the story has a special family connection.
The acclaimed musical tells the remarkable true story of how the small town of Gander in Newfoundland welcomed thousands of stranded airline passengers after airspace across North America was closed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
Among the local performers is Elouise Dalziel, whose own family lived in Newfoundland at the time of the events that inspired the show.
Her aunt and uncle, Sandra and Kevin Hannigan who now reside in Stirling, were living near St John’s airport when the unprecedented diversion of flights began.
“I first noticed more planes than usual from my living room window. Our house was on the flight path to the airport,” Sandra recalled. “At that point we didn’t know what was happening.”
The scale of the unfolding crisis soon became clear. “I heard about it from the TV at home later that morning,” she said.
Across the island, communities quickly mobilised to help the unexpected influx of travellers. While many passengers were accommodated in nearby towns, others were transported across the region.
“The town of St John’s hosted some passengers in halls and schools, while many were sent on to Labrador,” Sandra explained. “I was part of the Newcomers Club and we helped put together basic essentials for people who had suddenly found themselves far from home.”
Although she does not recall hosting a specific passenger herself, the events quickly became the focus of conversation throughout the community: “It was the topic of conversation for many days,” she said.
Now, more than two decades later, Sandra says it feels surreal that her niece is performing a story rooted in those experiences.
“I find it amazing my niece is now taking part in telling this story on stage,” she said. “Newfoundland and Labrador are such small places, so for the story to reach Scotland and for my niece to be involved in something my family experienced is quite strange.”
She believes audiences will recognise something familiar in the spirit of the community portrayed in the show.
“The people of Newfoundland are very friendly and kind and made us feel very welcome,” she said. “Life there is quite similar to Scotland. People are friendly and have a wonderful sense of humour.”
However, the weather can be far less forgiving.
“The first year we were there they had the worst snowfall on record, 23 feet,” she laughed. “We arrived on the last day of November, it started snowing on December 1st and didn’t stop until the following May.”
Despite the harsh winters, the experience left a lasting impression.
“Living in Newfoundland was an experience we will never forget.”
Come From Away runs at the Macrobert Arts Centre from 24 to 28 March, and tickets can be booked through the MacRobert’s box office: tinyURL.com/CFASABOS
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