A48 Theatre Company is breaking new ground this Remembrance Week by touring “Aviatrix”, a new play by local playwright Jim Blythe, to venues across Cardiff, The Vale and Pontypridd.

“Aviatrix” tells the story of five real intrepid women who – like many women who wanted to fly – joined the Women’s Air Transport Auxiliary when war broke out in 1939. Challenged not only by the enemy but also by stereotyping and social prejudice within their own force, these five women’s fight to be allowed to fly combat aircraft is illuminated with wit and poignancy in Blythe’s fresh, original script.

“Straight after I read the script for the first time, I knew I wanted to bring it to communities during Remembrance Week,” said Ray Thomas, A48 Theatre Company’s director. “These female ATA pilots didn’t get medals or glory, but they risked their lives to ferry 30,900 aircraft across Britain during WW2, and had to fight to be allowed to do so.”

Thomas believes that the play has relevance beyond its historical interest, too: “As incidents of misogyny, racism and bullying still come to light in our public services even today, there’s a lot we can recognise in the struggle these amazing women faced just to do their job.”

The cast of eight have found carrying out research into their own ‘true life’ character a rewarding process:

‘I have been encouraged to explore and cherish my character and to use my own intuition,” said actor Jess Gittins, who plays Winifred Crossley. “This has led me to an even greater appreciation of this original and thought-provoking script.”

With humour, drama and empathy, “Aviatrix” is a play that celebrates equality, questions authority, and sheds new light on along-overlooked part of Britain’s history in the Second World War.

Performances will take place at:

●      YMa, Pontypridd: Mon 13 & Tue 14 November at 7.30pm

●      The Temple of Peace, Cardiff: Wed 15 November at7.30pm.

●      The Royal British Legion, Cardiff: Thu 16 & Fri 17November at 7:30pm

●      South Wales Aviation Museum, St Athan: Sat 18 & Sun19 November at 15:30.

Tickets are available through Ticket source or the A48 website.

Audiences attending performances at the Temple of Peace are invited to a free tour of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs led by Craig Owen, Heritage Advisor, between 17:00 and 18:00 on the performance evening.

Audiences attending performances at the South Wales Aviation Museum are offered half price entry to the Museum with every “Aviatrix” ticket purchased.