The Shadow Factory
By Howard Brenton
Directed by: Barry Kitchen
Assisted by: Tim Ponsford
Production Dates: 9th-11th October 2025
Location: Durley Memorial Hall
PHOTOS
Rehearsal photographs, courtesy of Pete Hallmann
PRESS RELEASE
Autumn 1940. The Battle of Britain rages.
Southampton is home to our only hope of victory: the Spitfire. But, in one of many devastating raids on the town, the Luftwaffe destroy the Woolston Supermarine Spitfire factory. The Government requisitions local businesses to use as shadow factories – but meets resistance. Fred Dimmock won’t give up his family laundry for anyone.
As the Dimmocks, and other families, struggle to keep control of their lives and livelihoods, a story of chaos, courage and community spirit emerges.
Our autumn production this year tells the remarkable story of how a city triumphed over adversity 85 years ago.
REVIEW
Scene One Plus
https://sceneoneplus.com/the-shadow-factory-2/
: Bishopstoke Players : Durley Memorial Hall, Durley : David A Putley : 9 October 2025
Following a commercial success at The Mast in Southampton, it is good to see that Howard Brenton’s play is now available for the amateur circuit, especially as it can be performed in the area the action takes place in, with keen references particularly to Woolston and Hursley.
The play is set in the dark days of war-torn Britain in 1940 when the Southampton Supermarine Spitfire factory in Woolston was destroyed by a heavy bombing attack by the Luftwaffe, but thankfully the machine tools survived.
Southampton is full of Little Britain arguments allowing an audience to decide “What would I do?”
Canadian newspaper magnate Lord Beaverbrook, as the newly appointed minister for aircraft production, is charged with ensuring that the planes continue to roll off the production line.
Pete Burton brings a combination of steely ruthlessness and human understanding to the role, who has the power to requisition properties to continue manufacturing. Rather than a historical caricature, there was a real sense of feeling.
On the list is Fred Dimmock’s family laundry business, but his stoic resistance to conforming to the order creates much friction. Adrian Barrett perfectly captures this character, who worries about the future of his family and the country. So much so, I found the character’s constant attitude incredibly frustrating, especially as the threat was so real. We can sit here in glorious judgment, but the difficulties and anger faced were very real for the times and should not be easily dismissed. A real challenge to perform.
His mother “Ma” was played with delicious intent by Maggie Allington. Her lines were very well delivered. I liked “I don’t do herbs – they’re foreign” and, upon realisation her granddaughter was dating a Portsmouth boy, “Oh no, not a mixed marriage in our family”. Her practicality and “on the make” attitude was so well put across without reducing any humanity.
The fact a war was on made these kinds of divisions absurd to today’s audience but provided suitable laughter and usual British humour always employed in the face of danger.
There is excellent support from Grace Marsh as Lil Dimmock and Felix Barrett as Jackie Dimmock. The latter’s response to the horrors of war were very well explored with Lil showing herself as the glue of the family, perfectly encompassing a matriarch under duress.
Charlotte Forster played Polly Stride, an ambitious aircraft designer determined to carve a new pathway for women in the changing society during the war. I liked her calm approach to the role without becoming too forceful for the rights. Her response to the usual male attitude of the time was flirtatious but beautifully controlled.
At the other end of the scale at Hursley House were Marion Harding as Lady Cooper and Ali Pugh as her Housekeeper Sylvia Meinster. Both were totally believable in their roles. Lady Cooper brought an initial warmth and empathy and a surprise aggression when it was realised her world was no longer needed. Sylvia’s description of her Dutch heritage rather than German was also impressive.
Linking everything was a fine sincere performance by Adriano Sapelli as Len Gooch, the go-for trying to get everything done. The portrayal of friendship with Fred disintegrating whilst he sees the bigger picture was admirably explored.
Tim Ponsford as Air Marshall Dowding was suitably unimpressed with meetings with Churchill and champagne at the rich and very accepting as the fall guy yet realising he had done his duty. Very well portrayed with minimal lines to say.
Director Barry Kitchen should be very pleased with the audience reaction to his and the Team’s hard work had last night. The play was designed for a limited cast and small ensemble and had far more space to play with than the oblong stage at Durley. This did add an intimacy combined with excellent lighting and spot on sound effects. I liked the back wall art and would have been happy for its permanence rather than the use of the black curtain. The changes of scene placings were obvious due to well researched costume and props of the time.
Combined with a disciplined ensemble making good use of the small space, it made a very interesting and enjoyable delve into Southampton’s past.