Spitfire Girls

Katherine Senior

Tilted Wig and Mayflower Southampton, with Theatre Royal Winchester

Theatr Clwyd, Mold

April 21-25, 2026; 2 hrs 10 mins

(also at Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, May 12-16; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, May 21-23; Bolton Octagon, May 26-30)

"That's not quite it, dear, but you'll get the hang of it..." Female pilots in training in Spitfire Girls. All pics: Mark Senior

The women’s section of the Air Transport Auxiliary, like many female roles in World War II, displayed a courage in adversity that was all too often overlooked - except by those who knew the value of their contribution. 

Almost 170 female pilots - 12 per cent of the ATA - flew thousands of missions on every type of aircraft including four-engined bombers, Spitfires and Hurricanes. Spitfire Girls brings their story to the fore, using eye-witness accounts and contemporary documents to inform the script.

Two sisters, Bett and Dotty, defy their father and apply to the ATA.  With 15 others they are chosen from 2,000 applicants to learn how to fly a plane and then become members of the ferry pool transporting aircraft to different airfields throughout the UK. Bett is highly protective of her younger sister, despite both being highly capable pilots. Dotty falls in love with an RAF pilot who also has a soft spot for Bett, so the plot explores the joys and tensions between sisters who otherwise find purpose in their stress-filled job.  Sadly, Dot’s beau is shot down, which leads to the sisters being separated and Bett living a life filled with regret.

The two leads, writer Katherine Senior as Bett and Hannah Morrison as Dotty, have great sisterly chemistry. It might seem difficult to show someone learning to fly without a plane as a prop, but Senior and Morrison accomplish this, as well as giving us a glimpse into the exhilaration of flying an aircraft. They are ably supported by Jack Holland as their father, Kirsty Cox as their commanding officer and Paul Brown as Tommy, the pilot. The set is simple: a large circle with RAF markings, that sees service as a bar, a mess room and an office with just a few changes in props.

While the storyline captures our attention and illustrates the tragedy of warfare, it perhaps also misses a trick. The plot explores the friendship and camaraderie between ATA pilots and draws out the sense of fear and then loss that goes with active duty and losing comrades. But more could have been made of the struggle for credibility women faced when fulfilling their role. In WW2, Pauline Gower, the leader of the women’s section, fought for parity of esteem and remarkably secured the right for equal pay for her pilots - making the ATA one of the first organisations to give equal opportunities regardless of gender. In the play, these accomplishments are merely spoken about rather than acted out.

Regardless, this remains a captivating story, with a heartfelt ending. The mere idea of two sisters going from zero flying knowledge to war heroes is intended to inspire young people - girls and boys - to grasp opportunities, no matter how daunting the challenge. Even if it achieved little else, which is certainly not the case, Spitfire Girls would be well worth your time.

More info and tickets here