Flare Path

We asked a few theatregoers what they thought of the play:

“The gentle flowing Flare Path brought to our attention the real life difficulties that people had to face during the war years. Wives watching RAF husbands go off to work, waiting and hoping that they would return safely and just trying to make the best of this very hard situation. For me Sheridan Smith was the stand-out performer whose character provided a light hearted touch as well as delivering serious emotion.”
Madelene, 38, London

“I didn’t think there was much chemistry between the two leads James Purefoy and Sienna Miller and their scenes lacked energy which made the play drag a little. I enjoyed Flare Path because the supporting cast were absolutely superb. Sheridan Smith stole the show as the Countess, and Joe Armstrong and Clive Wood were both really funny.”
Lettice, 30, London

“I really enjoyed Flare Path’s beautifully subtle script, which was quite funny but also brought me to tears in some moments, highlighting how remarkable sacrifices made by individuals during the war quickly became a part of everyday reality. The performances were generally all great and while the celebrity pull is probably Sienna, for me Sheridan Smith was the star of the night.”
Rebecca, 29, Uxbridge

“Flare Path didn’t blow me away but I enjoyed it. I was keen to see Sienna Miller and Sheridan Smith on stage because I’ve heard so much about them both. I thought Sienna Miller did a pretty good job but Sheridan Smith had far more energy and stole every scene she was in. The rest of the supporting cast were also very good – especially Clive Wood who created some great comic moments from the few lines he had.”
Jenny, 28, London

“I enjoyed Flare Path. From the period detail of the set and costumes to the smooth pace of the onstage action it was a good, if not sparklingly great, evening’s entertainment. Written soon after the war, I appreciated the simplicity of the plot and characters: three-dimensional but free from the tortured psychology you’d probably get in something more modern – and the refreshingly happy ending. Sheridan Smith was excellent, Sienna Miller was fine if not exceptional. However the whole play was over-long and would benefit from some astute editing.”
Claire, 28, Tottenham

“Sienna Miller may be the main attraction of Flare Path but she was outshone on stage by some of her fellow cast members. My favourite characters were the hilarious female hotelkeeper, the slightly camp wing commander and the nosey young waiter.  I liked the set too, with its huge windows overlooking a misty air field. The plot’s fairly slow, but the show does immerse you in the 40s world of air force lingo and tea dresses, and it kept me interested from beginning to end.”
Hannah, 37, Devon

Flare Path at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 4 June 2011. Book tickets

Have you seen Flare Path? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments below.

Firstly, congratulations to Clybourne Park, which transfers to Wyndham’s Theatre tomorrow.

The play has won another award for its earlier run at the Royal Court. As well as being named Best New Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards, it’s also bagged the South Bank Sky Arts Theatre Award. Get booking now if you want to see this fantastic show!

This week’s casting news includes

• Simon Russell Beale will play Stalin at the National Theatre in Collaborators, a new play by Trainspotting writer John Hodge in October
• Another tip from the National: Ashes to Ashes and Upstairs Downstairs stay Keeley Hawes will appear in Rocket to the Moon from March
• Sheridan Smith, fresh from Legally Blonde, is joining Sienna Miller in Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from March
• TV presenter and actress Donna Air is to appear in psychological drama The Watcher at Waterloo East theatre also from March

Finally, the Society of London Theatre has just released the theatregoing figures for last year. And very impressive they are too!

More than 14 million people saw a show at one of London’s major venues last year. 2010 was a record year at the box office, with theatres taking more than £500,000,000; there was also a rise in the number of performances to over £18.5 thousand. Proving what I’ve always known: London theatre is on the up!