Spitfire Girls

Review by Rowan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spitfire Girls currently playing at Birmingham Rep, tells the impeccable story of two sisters. The protective older sister Bett (Katherine Senior), and the reckless and confident Dotty (Laura Matthews), as they are accepted into the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary). We get a fly on the wall insight into their training and life as female pilots through love, friendship, loss and feminist passion at its finest. The perfect mashup of Operation Mincemeat and Little Women, the Tilted Wig Productions play written by Senior is one of the most powerful representations of women in World War Two I have ever seen on stage.

Katherine and Laura carry this play on their backs strongly, with brilliant chemistry and genuine sister like banter and love throughout every raw emotion. They are accompanied by Samuel Tracy as Tom/Jimmy, Jack Hulland as Dad/Frank and Kirsty Cox as C.O/Joy. Each character is so well thought out and explored, especially the male characters and their thoughts about the position of the women. There were multiple moments which left the entire auditorium on the edge of their seats whilst keeping us all on our toes!

Movement direction by Stephen Moynihan, lighting design by Peter Small, and projections by Tyler Forward, beautifully blended the production together in the best way possible. The integration of dance and physical theatre during the most poignant moments tied the whole piece together in a perfect knot. The biggest stand out moment of the production, was the cleverly depicted training montage along with Betty’s first panic attack, showcasing the sheer impact which theatre can have when handled by the most thoughtful of creatives.

While the girls are landed in Birmingham until Saturday 21st June, it is confirmed the play will return in Spring 2026. There is a post show talk on Tuesday 17th June by ATA and audio described performance on the 21st at 14:30 with a touch tour at 13:00.