Wireless Operator

Based on the real story of a Lancaster wireless operator towards the end of the war, taking part in the infamous 1,000 bomber raids. But this is not just about the flights themselves, it is about these men and what they suffered on their sorties and what they suffered for the rest of their lives. The guilt of bombing towns, especially when he himself had been in London during the blitz and lost neighbours and friends, was something this aircrew member, and all of them I suspect, carried the rest of their lives. The play, a monologue with other voices, is beautifully set in the camped wirelss operator station on a Lanc, using just voices for the other crew members was clever as the various stations, excluding the cockpit, were isolated. This is their 35th and final sortie - their chanes or survivng were, as always, low - bomber command had one of the highest (and fastest) mortaliy rates of any command, land, air or sea, in WWII.

Beautifully crafted, subtlely performed and with a fantasically evocative set and audi/video support this is a play which will stick with me. Few of those involved in these raids have spoken of their experiences, it is wonderful that it has been encapsulated in this piece. Excellent.