Spitfire Girls by Katherine Senior is the moving story about two sisters who are working on the family pig farm near Southampton. It’s 1944 and World War II is taking place and they both want to do their bit for the war effort. Answering an advert to the Air Force asking for men and women ATA recruits their letters of acceptance arrive and their lives are changed forever.
The ATA stood for Air Transport Auxiliary, a civilian organisation that was hugely important during World War II as their serving members moved aircraft across the country between factories and various positions freeing up serving officers from these tasks.
Katherine Senior plays the role of the oldest sister Bett whose quieter and doesn’t particularly engage in confrontation much to the frustration of her younger sister Dotty (Hannah Morrison) whose outspoken and spirited yet passionate and caring. Despite their differences, they are incredibly close and are by each other’s sides throughout.
Spitfire Girls follows the highs and lows of the sisters serving time. The freedom they experienced in the sky flying above the clouds and knowing they were doing something important as those who served during that time did.
The sisters meet again after many years of silence on New Year’s Eve, 1959 in the pub that Bett now runs. There are unfinished conversations that the two need to have.
Morrison gives an outstanding and incredibly moving performance at the end of act one that left the audience silenced until the lights rose and the applause followed. You could feel every emotion that Dotty was feeling in that scene.
I sat in the stalls for Act One and was fortunate enough to be able to sit in the dress circle for Act Two, this isn’t something I do regularly or ask if it’s possible to. However, this play is definitely one to be watched from a higher position as you can see the whole stage and admire ĺthe raised stage floor which is marked up with the Spitfire emblem and you can get a clearer view of the action. Designer Sarah Beaton has created a striking setting for the Spitfire Girls.
Senior has brought to life a fitting commemoration to all those who served during that period. It is a strong reminder that women played a key role during a time when serving females was fiercely restricted. Bringing history to the stage reminds us of the strength and courage that many had during this time.
For more information about Spitfire Girls and future productions at Theatre Royal Winchester please use the link below.
Five Stars.
Photo credit Ant Robling.
https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/spitfire-girls
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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