Flare Path

Terrance Rattigan wrote Flare Path in 1941 and drew upon his own life experience as a rear tail gunner in the RAF. The story takes place in The Falcon Hotel, where men in the RAF meet their wives amidst the stress of nightly bombing raids. There is a love triangle between RAF officer, Teddy (Ben Perkins), his wife, actress, Patricia Graham (Kat Tokley) and Patricia’s ex-partner Peter Kyle (Ian Gilbert), a fellow actor.

Teddy Graham’s tail gunner Dusty Miller (James Beaver) is also resident at the hotel, waiting for his wife Maudie (Cat Taylor) to arrive and Countess Doris Skriczevinsky (Rhiannon Stephens) is waiting for her Polish husband Count Skriczevinsky (Tony Gilbert).

Other characters include Percy (Silas Powell), the young barman with an interest in what’s happening at the airfield, the proprietor of the Hotel Mrs Oakes (Barbara Llewellyn) and RAF officer Swanson, AKA Gloria (Peter Scales).

The set was impressive; the lounge of the hotel with a bar area and a tall window where the characters can see the airfield. The sound and lighting were effective and there was a back light on the window.

The costumes, wigs and accessories looked in keeping with the age and the uniforms were impressive. There were a few minor technical issues but nothing that detracted too much from the action. It may have been nice to have a glow in the fire maybe? Although it would have been useful to have a synopsis in the programme, the plot was easy to follow.

Characterisation was good and there was a clear contrast between the class of the characters too.

Kat Tokley was a strong lead and displayed the emotion of being torn between two men well. She looked elegant throughout and had a relaxed manner on stage that was also displayed by many of the other actors. The acting was reflective of what one would expect for the 1940s so the contrast between the ‘King’s English’ and the more common, lower class, characters was stark.

Ben Perkins played Patricia’s husband Teddy Graham. They’d only been married a short time and for some of that time Patricia had been away acting in London. Ben played his part well; he adores Patricia and is proud of her but his character is complicated by the responsibility he feels as the skipper of the airplane and the pressure of constant bombing campaigns. With typical stoicism Ben wins the heart of his wife who is on the verge of telling him that she is leaving.

Ian Gilbert’s Peter Kyle is a self-assured man who thinks his arrival at the hotel will mean that Pat will fall into his arms. Ian’s characterisation was good, he showed arrogance when being recognised as a famous actor, embarrassment at the barrage of questions, amusement at some of the questions from the residents of the hotel and compassion for people waiting for loved ones to return after a bombing raid. The situation of a famous actor at the hotel was comedic as was the character of the countess, played by Rhiannon Stephens. At first you think why would a countess be so brash and speak with such an accent and soon we realise that Doris has married a Polish Count who is in the RAF and she comes from a humble background having been a barmaid and we warm to the character. Count Skriczenvinsky was played by Tony Gilbert. The initial comedy of this man who struggles with English and seems dominated by his wife was replaced by the empathy we feel when he goes missing in action and Doris is forced to read the letter (with the help of Peter’s French translation) the count has left for her in the event of his death.

Dusty Miller and Maude are an energetic couple played by James Beaver and Cat Taylor. James confidently played a cheeky chap, very accepting of his place in the plane and his place in society. Cat played a nervous but practical woman, at ease with her husband. This couple give good contrast to the Grahams. The pair are a believable couple and their energies worked well together.

Swanson played by Peter Scales is a commanding officer referred to as Gloria by Teddy Graham. He is a jovial character with a good connection to his men.

Barbara Llewellyn stepped into the role of landlady Mrs Oakes at the last minute but you would not have noticed because she gave a convincing performance, with a self-assured stage presence. She was an efficient boss and meticulous hostess.

Overall, the production was compelling and well-staged, testament to a skilled director and a well-oiled company. Well done to all.

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