THE INFO
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WHAT: Ballarat National Theatre Presents Flare Path
WHEN: September 27- October 4 at 8pm, matinees (Saturday, October 4) 2pm
WHERE: Courthouse Theatre, Federation University SMB Campus, Grant Street.
TICKETS: $25, concession $20, students $18, Group 10+ $18, members $16
A WWII inspired production pays tribute to wartime bomber crews and their partners.
Ballarat National Theatre has brought Terence Rattigan's play Flare Path back to life for Ballarat audiences.
Directed by Julian Oldfield, Flare Path draws heavily on Rattigan's own experience as a tail gunner in the RAF costal command during WWII.
Set in a lounge of a hotel frequented by pilots and crew of a nearby air force base, the story follows the lives of three couples.
Mr Oldfield said the production was a moving portrait of people at war, a story of love, loyalty and moral choices.
"There is an element of suspense and surprise with a love triangle, it has a bit of everything," he said.
"Terance's work is so good, this is a great play."
Working on the draft in 1941 while he was in active duty in West Africa, Rattigan managed to save the incomplete manuscript when his plane was damaged in combat and the crew ordered to throw away excess weight.
Rattigan was then released from the services to help rewrite it as a screenplay which eventually appeared as The Way to the Stars in 1945.
Flare Path follows the story of newly wed couple, Flight-Lieutenant Teddy Graham and Patricia Graham, Teddy's rear-gunner Miller and his perplexed wife Maudie and Polish pilot Count Skriczevinsky and his wife Doris.
It is at the hotel the wives spent brief precious time with their husbands and tension is relieved by banter and alcohol.
The production will run from September 27 through to October 4 at the Courthouse Theatre.
Ballarat National Theatre is looking for any WWII Royal Air Force uniforms that could be used as costumes. If you are able to help please call 0409 409 572.