Stage Dragon Review – Flare Path By Terence Rattigan At The Yvonne Arnaud

Published on: 24 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 24 Nov, 2015

Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path (written in 1941, first performed in 1942) is set during the Second World War following the lives of bomber pilot Teddy Graham and his actress wife, Patricia Warren (Olivia Hallinan).

Their marriage is tested when Patricia’s former lover and Hollywood actor, Peter Kyle (Leon Ockendon) resurfaces and tries to rekindle their romance by following her to the hotel. All the action takes place in the resident’s lounge in the Falcon Hotel.

Peter Kyle, played by Leon Ockendon and Patricia Graham, played by Olivia Hallinan, discussing their future.

Teddy (Alastair Whatley) and two other Bomber Command husbands are hoping to have a weekend with their wives at a hotel near their Lincolnshire base. Teddy’s tail gunner Dusty Miller (Simon Darwen) is expecting his wife, Maudie (Shvorne Marks).

Teddy’s squadron has a Polish pilot, Count Skriczevinsky (Adam Best) who is meeting his wife, Doris (Siobhan O’Kelly). The men had only just arrived from the base when they are recalled by Squadron Leader Swanson (Philip Franks) for an unscheduled night operation, and their wives are left behind to await their return.

Flare Path is about the effect of “duty” on the various relationships of the cast. Should Patricia put duty to her husband Teddy over her apparent love for the middle-aged matinee idol Peter.

‘If you want a good night out, look no further than the Yvonne Arnaud and ‘Flare Path’

Teddy and his tail gunner Sergeant Miller have put duty to King and Country over their personal lives. Teddy worries that he may not be able to cope much longer, but feels he must carry on.

Patricia listening to Peter telling her he both loves and needs her.

Count Skriczevinsky, has come to England to exact retribution from the Germans over the loss of his Polish wife and child, meeting and marrying Doris. She worries what will happen after the war. His concern is that he may not survive the war.

These of course, were very real concerns to all people in Britain during the Second World War.

The set is well designed for the comings and goings of the cast, with the costumes and hair styling placed firmly in wartime.

There was even a fire, not that it gave off much heat! Although the hotel owner, Mrs Oakes (Stephanie Jacob), seemed to think that it was used too freely. Her part and that of the bartender, Percy (James Cooney), gave the play a lighter side to dispel the tension set by the main characters.

Olivia Hallinan, Leon Ockendon, and Alastair Whatley gave accomplished performances as the main protagonists, while Philip Franks showed the caring side of a squadron leader.

Siobhan O’Kelly as Doris, managed to steal the show when after thinking her husband was dead, found out that he had survived. Adam Best, as the Count, did a remarkable job of speaking broken English.

If you want a really good night out, look no further than the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Flare Path.

Click here for website. Box office: 01483 440000.

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