In other news this week, The Railway Children has announced an extension, and is now booking until 8 January 2012. The production, which won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment earlier in the year, currently stars Marcus Brigstocke as station master Mr Perks.

Did you enjoy spotting some of London theatre’s regulars in BBC2’s The Hour on Tuesday? I certainly did. Abi Morgan, who wrote the series, is also in London’s theatrical news this week. She’s one of the many writers tackling an exciting Headlong theatre project about the legacy of 9/11, directed by Rupert Goold. The show, called Decade, will be staged in an atmospheric disused building in St Katherine Docks from 1 September. Other writers on the project include:

• Christopher Shinn (best-known for Now Or Later at the Royal Court in 2008)
• Lynn Nottage, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Ruined, which was staged last year at the Almeida Theatre
• Samuel Adamson, who wrote Southwark Fair at the National Theatre
• Mike Bartlett, behind Earthquakes In London for Headlong, and Cock at the Royal Court
• Alecky Blythe, author of hit documentary-musical London Road at the National Theatre
• Columbia University historian Simon Schama, whose historical work Rough Crossings was adapted by Headlong for the stage in 2007

Three shows have released news of their casts this week. They are:

• The Lion in Winter by James Goldman will star Robert Lindsay and Joanna Lumley at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in November
• Cool Hand Luke: Lee Boardman from Corrie and Lisa Eichhorn join Marc Warren in this stage adaptation of the well-known film, coming the Aldwych theatre in September
• Nicholas Lyndhurst joins Ralph Fiennes in Trevor Nunn’s production of The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 27 August

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.

Sebastian Faulks’ harrowing novel Birdsong has been adapted for the stage and has its first run at London’s The Comedy Theatre . This play has a star line-up, with director Trevor Nunn, and many wonderful actors.

Birdsong follows a young man’s journey through a great love and a great war. The play is split into three sections. The long opening act concentrates on the young Englishman Stephen Wraysford as he visits Amiens and falls in love with a married woman, played by the rather stiff Genevieve O’Reilly.

I found the second two acts more convincing than the first. After the interval Birdsong shows the vile horror of World War I, like I have never seen it portrayed before. Every aspect of the painful anguish and devastation is realised through haunting acting and clever dramatics. The stage is impressively constructed to show the claustrobic tunnels and trenches, and smoke effects create further atmosphere. Just before the second interval a great clash and cloud of powder wafts over the audience, an incredible sensation and evocative transition to mark the start of the war.

I loved watching Lee Ross who plays one of the central characters, Jack Firebrace. The kindness and bravery of this character within the turmoil of war gives the story real strength and substance, and Ross’s characterisation reflects this with a touching morality.

I left feeling moved and educated, and now would like to read the original book.

With Remembrance Day in London tomorrow, the show feels particularly poignant.

The play continues until 15 January 2011. Book Birdsong tickets here.