PHILIP Franks, Leon Ockenden and Olivia Hallinan will lead the cast in a production of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path at Salisbury Playhouse.

The production is a major revival of Rattigan’s evocative play which is based on his experiences as a tail gunner during the Second World War.

Philip Franks, whose television credits include The Darling Buds of May and Heartbeat, will play Squadron Leader Swanson in this production, which is directed by Justin Audibert.

He is joined by Leon Ockenden, best known for his roles in Mr Selfridge and Waterloo Road, and Olivia Hallinan who appeared in television’s Lark Rise to Candleford.

Adam Best, James Cooney, Simon Darwen, Stephanie Jacob, Shvorne Marks, Siobhan O’Kelly, William Reay, Holly Smith and Alastair Whatley complete the cast.

Flare Path paints a picture of life in wartime Britain for the RAF bomber crews and their wives and sweethearts who were left behind.

Set in 1942, the play tells the story of former actress Patricia whose husband Teddy is a pilot with the RAF. But the couple’s marriage is tested to the limits by the arrival of Hollywood idol Peter Kyle while Teddy takes to the skies in an unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany.

Flare Path comes to Salisbury Playhouse from October 5 -10 as part of a nation-wide tour by the same company that produced the critically acclaimed, sell-out production of Birdsong.

Tickets are on sale now from the Salisbury Playhouse ticket office on 01722 320333 or by going to salisburyplayhouse.com