Spitfire!

Synopsis

A moving drama by Mike Walker about the most famous British fighter aircraft in history, marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Framed by recollections from veteran Geoffrey Wellum, the play features specially made recordings of RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfires, including the only Spitfire still flying today to have fought in the Battle.

Inspired by real people and real events, the play traces RJ Mitchell's design from creation to legend and the fortunes of two young pilots who join a frontline Spitfire squadron just as the Battle of Britain begins. It stars Samuel West, Samuel Barnett, Rory Kinnear and Ruth Wilson.

Many factors were important in the Battle, but it was the excellence of the Spitfire which most famously evened the odds in the fight against the Luftwaffe. Mike Walker's play takes us close to this magnificent aircraft and gives us a feeling of what it was like to fly the legendary plane which became, in test pilot Jeffrey Quill's words, 'a symbol of defiance and victory'.

Pirate ..... Rory Kinnear
Ted ..... Joe Coen
RJ Mitchell ..... Samuel West
Tony ..... Samuel Barnett
Stanley Baldwin ..... David Horovitch
Air Marshal Dowding ..... David Troughton
Squadron Commander ..... Stephen Critchlow
Newsreel Announcer ..... Ben Crowe
Sammy ..... Lucas Motion
Alice ..... Abigail Thaw
Daphne ..... Ruth Wilson

Technical Advisor: Patrick Bishop
Original music/sound design: David Chilton

Producer/Director: Amber Barnfather
A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4.