...will be staged in Nottingham over 70 years on

Flare Path is based on Terence Rattigan's own wartime experiences

Terence Rattigan wrote Flare Path about his experiences in World War II, was written as the conflict rumbled on and was even first staged before it ended in 1945. Winston Churchill saw a production and loved it. Now, over 70 years later, the Lace Market Theatre is to stage it - director Colin Treliving explains why

Is this a typical war story?

No, as this depicts how the war affects both servicemen and civilians. It really is a play about people, their loves, hopes and disappointments. Also, most war stories are very serious, but this is told with great humor. It was based on Terence Rattigan’s own wartime experiences.

In light of the recent box office success with Darkest Hour and Churchill’s own positive review of the original production, do you feel that this play depicts the kind of war story that audiences want to see?

Yes I do. The great thing about this story it was actually written during the war, and the first production was staged while the WWII was taking place. It does not focus on historic events or famous people; it deals with the day to day lives of three couples from different backgrounds.

It is hard for us now to think what life must have been like for relatives of servicemen during WWII and this is the great thing about this play; it gives us snapshots of the lives of the characters.

It is filled with humanity, humor, passion, and drama.

What is the greatest triumph for the cast and crew in making this production unique?

To create the period, and just capture what life was like in the 1940s.

What were the biggest challenges you faced making this production?

Just trying to do justice to Terence Rattigan’s wonderful story - to present the story that goes from drama to comedy and back again, sometimes within a couple of lines. This play is rarely staged so we feel a great responsibility to make it vital and exciting for our audiences.

Read the original article here.