A DRAMA performed by a Wokingham group should appeal to anyone with a love of history – and planes.
Terrence Rattigan’s Flare Path, written in 1941, is the story of a love triangle between a wartime pilot, his actress wife and a famous film star.
Based in part on Rattigan’s own experiences, the play’s romantic tangles unfold, despite or perhaps because of, the constant fear and tension of living through World War II.
The story opens as pilots from a nearby RAF airbase gather at a Lincolnshire hotel to spend the weekend with their wives.
It’s meant to be a peaceful break from action, but tensions rise when love and duty clash.
When the men are called to take part in a night raid, no-one knows who will return to see the dawn, and who will not.
The characters begin to realise that life is nothing like a romantic film.
It is something to be cherished.
Director Margery Jackson chose the piece because of her love of history.
“It’s a poignant story,” she says.
“I very much wanted the opportunity to bring it to the stage.”
“The script lends itself very well to this particular period in our past.
“And I think that’s because Rattigan was really there.”
The play presents a very different world.
“Perhaps because I’m older, I possibly have a better understanding of people’s lifestyle at that time,” Margery says.
“But the actors are quite young, so none of them has experienced for themselves what it was like to live through that war.”
The play’s sound and lighting effects have presented some particular challenges for the team.
Flare Path’s stage manager, Sophie Vallely says: “Our sound operator has had to research very specific sounds made by the actual planes referenced in the story.
“They worked hard to find recordings of all the different bombers taking off and landing.
“It’s been quite an operation to source them accurately.”
“The accents, the mannerisms, and the music of the time all have to be right too,” says Margery.
“And we’ve sourced footage of the actual planes and real wartime pilots, to give authenticity, and to help the audience understand better what life was like then.”
With the play firmly set in a particular decade and social milieu, how does Flare Path communicate with a modern audience?
“I think it speaks of an age when people were much kinder to each other, than perhaps they are today,” says Margery.
“When people go out in action in this story, nobody knows whether they will return.
“That changes everything.
“I think it made people care a bit more.
“ And with struggles currently going on in Europe, perhaps watching these characters, for whom it was very much a part of their lives, the play is a reminder of what war can be like.”
Flare Path will appeal to anyone with an interest in World War II: it’s history, it’s machines, its times, its manners, and values.
“Young people will enjoy it too,” says Margery.
“Our cast presents these characters with authenticity.
“They have learned to inhabit them, and to imagine their situations in a very different era.
“I’ve really enjoyed the actors’ interest and enthusiasm.
“Seeing them engaged in the story has been very inspiring.”
Flare Path is performed at Wokingham Theatre.
It runs from Thursday, April 27 through to Saturday, May 6, with the exception of Sunday.
Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available for £15.
For tickets and information call the box office on: 0118 978 5363 or visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
