The company that staged a popular adaptation of World War I-set Birdsong earlier this year is returning to the Playhouse with a new production of another wartime drama, Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th November.

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the R.A.F. bomber crews, and the wives and sweethearts who were left awaiting their return.

Set in 1942 against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, Flare Path tells the story of former actress Patricia, the wife of R.A.F. pilot Teddy, whose marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle. An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

Olivia Hallinan will play Patricia Graham. Olivia’s numerous television credits include Laura Timmins in Larkrise to Candleford, Kim in the award-winning series Sugar Rush, Ellie Allard in Girls in Love and Liddy Blakeman in Murder in Suburbia.

Leon Ockenden, who will play Peter Kyle, is well known from his television roles as Prince Serge De Bolotoff in Mr. Selfridge, Hector Reid in Waterloo Road, Dr. Chris Oakley in Heartbeat and Sam Taylor in Family Affairs.

Philip Franks, who will play Squadron Leader Swanson, is perhaps best-known for his television roles as Charley in The Darling Buds of May and Sergeant Craddock in Heartbeat, as well as Tom Pinch in Martin Chuzzlewit and Richard in Bleak House.

Flare Path combines highly charged drama with a truly authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

Flare Path will be directed by Justin Audibert, who recently directed The Jew of Malta for The Royal Shakespeare Company. Justin is an Artistic Associate for HighTide Festival Theatre and Red Ladder, and his directing credits include productions at Soho Theatre, the Young Vic and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Tickets for performances are priced at £12 – £25* and are available from the Box office, by telephone on 0151 7094776 or online at www.everymanplayhouse.com

*A single transaction fee of £2 applies to all phone, counter and internet bookings. Cash payments are exempt from any transaction fees.