Interview: Daniel Fraser, starring in Flare Path UK Tour

Daniel Fraser recently joined the UK tour of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path as Teddy Graham.

Having toured last year to great acclaim, Justin Audibert’s production has extended into 2016 with upcoming engagements including Buxton, Windsor, Blackpool, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Aberdeen, Mold, Wycombe, Dartford, Darlington, Derby, Birmingham and York.

Daniel recently starred in the RSC’s productions of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. He played Gregory Cromwell when the double bill premiered in Stratford before reprising his performance in the West End and on Broadway. Daniel has also appeared in Chariots of Fire (Hampstead/West End) whilst his screen credits include Frequencies, Lab Rats and Scar Tissue. 

I recently spoke to Daniel about what drew him to Flare Path, the beauty of Rattigan’s writing and what it was like to make his Broadway debut… 

Before this role popped up were you aware of the piece? 

I didn’t know much about Flare Path, I was aware of the tour when it started but obviously I was busy with Wolf Hall so couldn’t go and see it. I’m a big fan of Rattigan’s work but this wasn’t one I was familiar with. When the audition came through I read it and thought it was great. 

What were your first impressions?

I thought it really captured the spirit people had during World War II. It takes you back to that time, particularly with the characters in the air force and all the slang they use. It’s very evocative of that period. Terrible things were happening but the British carried on – it summons up that quality perfectly.

Full casting announced for Flare Path 2016 national tour

Full casting has been announced for the 2016 national tour of Flare Path by Terence Rattigan.

Directed by Justin Audibert, the tour will open on 27th January at the Connaught Theatre in Worthing. 

Having recently played Gregory Cromwell in Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies in the West End and on Broadway, Daniel Fraser (pictured) will play Teddy Graham opposite Audrey Palmer as Mrs Oakes. 

They join previously announced cast members including: Graham Seed (The Archers) as Squadron Leader Swanson, Lynden Edwards (A Little Night Musi) as Peter Kyle, Hedydd Dylan (Royal Shakespeare Company) as Patricia Graham and Charlie G Hawkins (EastEnders) as Percy.

Flare Path extends tour; new cast announced

The 2015 national tour of Flare Path by Terence Rattigan has extended into 2016.

Directed by Justin Audibert, the tour will open on 27th January at the Connaught Theatre in Worthing. 

Set and costume design is by Hayley Grindle, with lighting by Alex Wardle and sound by Dominic Bilkey. 

The new cast includes Graham Seed (The Archers) as Squadron Leader Swanson, Lynden Edwards (A Little Night Musi) as Peter Kyle, Hedydd Dylan (Royal Shakespeare Company) as Patricia Graham and Charlie G Hawkins (EastEnders) as Percy.

Review: Flare Path (UK Tour) at the Richmond Theatre

Flare Path (UK Tour)
Richmond Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 2nd September 2015
★★★★

A beautifully warm and heartbreakingly tender play, Flare Path showcases a snapshot of life during the Second World War. Based on Terence Rattigan’s personal experiences as a tail gunner, Flare Path was first performed in 1942 when people had no idea how much longer the war would last. It truly is a remarkable play, the flashes of hope are hugely powerful.

Interview: Leon Ockenden, starring in Flare Path

Leon Ockenden is currently starring as Peter Kyle in the UK tour of Flare Path by Terence Rattigan.

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Leon's theatre credits include: Mat in Muswell Hill (Orange Tree), Charles/Sir Oliver Martext/Jaque de Boys in As You Like It & Lorenzo in The Merchant Of Venice (both Lamb Players), Terry Fordham in Plague Over England (West End), Krapp in The Big Lie & Messenger in Women Beware Women (both RSC), Terry Fordham in Plague Over England (Finborough), Ferdinand in The Tempest (Liverpool Playhouse) and Merlin in Tricky (Courtyard). 

Just a selection of his television work includes playing: Prince Serge de Bolotoff in Mr Selfridge, Hector Reid in Waterloo Road, Cameron Shannon in An Old Fashioned Christmas, Kevin Humphries in New Tricks, Connor in Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Chris Oakley in Heartbeat, Sam Taylor in Family Affairs and Simon in Hustle. On film he has appeared in Open Desert, The Cosmonaut, Across The River, Red Tails and Dread.

I recently spoke to Leon about what makes Flare Path such an extraordinary play, how he’s feeling about taking on his first UK tour and why he likes being kept on his toes…

The first time I saw Flare Path was in the West End a few years ago with Sheridan Smith and Sienna Miller. It took my breath away and is now one of my absolute favourite plays. Were you aware of it? What made you want to take on the role?

I didn’t get to see that production, but what you just said is exactly what drew me to it! As an actor you’re an interpretive artist and you want as rich a text as possible to investigate. We are touring this production to the end of November, and I think we will still be investigating and working on it right to the end because Rattigan is a bit like an English Chekhov – the characters are so well drawn. This is a play set in very extreme historical circumstances but, like when you saw it and when I read it, the play makes you laugh so much and then it is so deeply moving at the end. 

Production Pics: Flare Path UK tour

Production images have been released for the UK tour of Flare Path directed by Justin Audibert which officially opens tomorrow night (2nd September) at the Richmond Theatre. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast includes Leon Ockenden as Peter Kyle, Olivia Hallinan as Patricia Graham, Philip Franks as Squadron Leader Swanson and Alastair Whatley as Flight Lieutenant Graham (Teddy). They are joined by: Adam Best as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky, James Cooney as Percy, Simon Darwen as Sergeant Miller (Dusty), Stephanie Jacob as Mrs Oakes, Shvorne Marksas Mrs Miller (Maudie), Siobhan O’Kelly as Countess Skriczevinsky (Doris), William Reay as Corporal Jones (Wiggy) and Holly Smith as Maid.

Full casting announced for Flare Path UK tour

Full casting has been announced for the UK tour of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path.

Directed by Justin Audibert, Flare Path opens on 18th August at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne before visiting Richmond, Bath, Malvern, Exeter, Cambridge, Salisbury, Winchester, Ipswich, Coventry, Liverpool and Guildford.

As previously announced, the cast will be lead by: Leon Ockenden (pictured right) as Peter Kyle, Olivia Hallinan as Patricia Graham, Philip Franks as Squadron Leader Swanson and Alastair Whatley as Flight Lieutenant Graham (Teddy).

They will be joined by: Adam Best as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky, James Cooney as Percy, Simon Darwen as Sergeant Miller (Dusty), Stephanie Jacob as Mrs Oakes, Shvorne Marks as Mrs Miller (Maudie), Siobhan O’Kelly as Countess Skriczevinsky (Doris), William Reay as Corporal Jones (Wiggy) and Holly Smith as Maid.

First casting announced for Flare Path tour

Philip Franks, Olivia Hallinan, Leon Ockenden and Alastair Whatley will lead the cast of the 2015 national tour of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path. Justin Audibert directs with further casting to be announced.

The Flare Path tour will open on 18th August at Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne before visiting Richmond, Bath, Malvern, Exeter, Cambridge, Salisbury, Winchester, Ipswich, Coventry, Liverpool and Guildford with further dates to be announced. 

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path to launch new tour later this year

It has been announced that Flare Path by Terence Rattigan will launch a new national tour later this year.

The production will open on 17th August at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne. Flare Path will then visit Richmond, Bath, Malvern, Exeter, Cambridge, Ipswich, Coventry and Guildford with further dates to be announced. Casting will be confirmed shortly.

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.