Fire Embers Ash – Barons Court Theatre
This play by Hailey Mashburn tells the little-known story of the establishment by the Soviet Union of the first all-female aviation regiment to fight against the Nazis in the Second World War. Apparently, the regiments were created by Stalin after pressure from one of the early aviators Marina Raskova, portrayed in this play by Henrietta Laursen in the role of commander. The establishment of the unit was controversial and looked down upon by many of their male colleagues. They were only allocated old and decrepit planes and had to wear ill-fitting male uniforms. Nevertheless, they distinguished themselves, and were nicknamed by the Nazis as the " Night Witches". The title which they adopted themselves with pride. To overcome the deficiencies of their equipment...