Spitfire Girls – Buxton Opera House

The Second World War is ongoing, and its reality is inescapable. With so many of the able men fighting on the front lines, where does the war effort find its manpower? As we are well aware, it was woman power that kept many industries operational for many years.

In Spitfire Girls we meet Bett (played by the writer, Katherine Senior) and Dotty (Hannah Morrison), two women who defied the obligations expected of them by family and society and learned to fly. This play explores their relationship, their identity, and their growth as women and as pilots throughout the war and beyond.

Senior and Morrison are authentic in their interactions with one another and with the others they encounter throughout the story. In particular, Morrison’s portrayal of a woman finding her freedom in the sky, soaring around the stage in a spitfire, is a credit to her and to movement director Stephen Moynihan. And as the two women finally receive their training and their uniform, a striking visual is created, one that exudes empowerment and sisterhood.

From my seat in the stalls, I felt that the depth and height of the stage at the Opera House did not show off the set to its fullest, as it felt a bit remote from the audience and was significantly raised, leading to a slightly difficult viewing angle. At times, the staging also seemed to hinder the voice projection of the actors – who worked hard to be heard.

The sound design (Eamonn O’Dwyer) and lighting design (Peter Small) both well complemented the simple set (Sarah Beaton), clearly delineating locations and moments throughout the story. This helped especially when the play moved back and forwards through time, spread as it is across the war itself, and New Year’s Eve 1959.

In many ways, this is not a big play. Focused on the storytelling. Five actors. Few props and furniture moved around by cast and crew. However, that certainly doesn’t mean that it shies away from the important and dramatic moments… I don’t want to spoil the story, but it is one that is worth experiencing. The storytelling is, overall, authentic and powerful, and relates a part of our history that I certainly was not familiar with.

In an era in which many women’s stories are in danger of becoming eroded, this is an important piece of theatre.

Spitfire Girls continues at the Buxton Opera House until Saturday 21st March. More details and ticket information can be found on the website: https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/. The play then continues on tour around England and Wales until 30 May. Tour information can be found here: https://www.tiltedwigproductions.com/spitfiregirls2026.

Reviewer: Jo Tillotson

Reviewed: 17th March 2026

North West End UK Rating: