THE bombing raids by Allied forces during the war were somewhat controversial, obliterating German cities while coming at huge cost for the pilots who made the dangerous sorties.

But Flare Path, Terence Rattigan’s Second World War drama which comes to the Salisbury Playhouse next week, looks at the families who were left behind, not knowing if their loved ones would make it back.

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

Leon Ockenden, best known as Serge De Bolotoff in Mr Selfridge, plays Peter, who he describes as equivalent to a modern day soap star and despite the ravages of war says Rattigan does well to get across the stiff upper lip of British humour.

He said: “There is a love-triangle at the centre of the play but it really draws upon what RAF pilots in the war were going through.

“What is brilliant about Rattigan is he writes English people very well. He really taps into this British, stoic sense of humour. This is a very passionate play set in extraordinary times. It is very funny. There is a laugh every page.”

The play comes at a poignant moment for the city, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which Salisbury was intrinsically linked to through its Spitfire production.

“The good thing about any anniversary is that it makes you remember. It is easy to feel distant from modern history, when you think of the achievements and technological breakthroughs which were made in the 20th century,” Leon continued. “It is very good to be reminded of what previous generations put themselves through in order to facilitate our lives.

“Being in a bomber during the war was loud beyond belief, extremely cold, and space was at an absolute premium. I think as many as one in three didn’t come back. This was before the days where you were plugged into plane to keep you warm, you had some thermals and some leathers – that was it.”

Leon splits his time between the stage and television after training originally as a baker, working in patisseries in the south west and London. But says he enjoys time on the stage describing it as the “actors' medium”.

He added: “The main difference [between the stage and screen] is that last night when we performed in Exeter the audience was teaching us something about the play. When you are doing the same thing over and over again it is a bit like a sculpture that you are refining, chiselling away and adding more nuances.”

The show runs from Monday to Saturday. For tickets call 01722 320333 or visit salisburyplayhouse.com.