EDINBURGH 2019: WIRELESS OPERATOR Q&A

BWW catches up with the creators of Wireless Operator to chat about bringing the show to the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Wireless Operator.

Wireless Operator is a new play written by Bob Baldwin & Max Kinnings.

Wireless Operator reveals the emotional trauma of one single night, during World War II, in a Lancaster Bomber, as its young crew hurtle through a terrifying frenzy of violence.

It is inspired by the experiences of Bob Baldwin's father who was a wireless operator in Bomber Command. The whole play is told through the eyes and ears of the John, the wireless operator. It is a one man play but, intriguingly, boasts a cast of 11!

The play is thrilling, shocking, alarming and moving.

It is told in an unusual and dramatic way and has a stunning performance by Thomas Dennis as John

(Previously seen as Albert in Warhorse and Christopher in The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time)

Why is it an important story to tell?

Wireless Operator sheds some light on an untold story.

Baldwin and his siblings wondered why their lovely father was so hard to get close to. After he died, Bob read all his papers and realised that he was hiding the terrible psychological scars he was burdened with as a result of his experiences in Bomber Command. During our research, we realised how often survivors of Bomber Command endured tremendous suffering in silence; it was completely unacknowledged.

Things are not much better now for contemporary veterans, although we have now begun to recognise and diagnose PTSD.

The fact that the sacrifices made by those who served in Bomber Command remain largely unacknowledged is still a source of pain for survivors and their families. Many accounts of Bomber Command in the past have tended to glamorise the experience of serving in that campaign. Wireless Operator peels back that layer to take you into the darkest moments of what it was like.

By illuminating what has happened in the past we hope to create a conversation and understanding about the responsibility and duty of care we owe to those who serve in our name, both historically and now.

As we head towards the 75th anniversary of the end of WW 2 next year, the play couldn't be more timely.

What techniques are used during the production?

The production explores unusual ways of telling a story.

We want the audience to go on the journey of this mission with our wireless operator - not just as passive observers. We have sourced very sophisticated recordings of the iconic Merlin engines that powered Lancaster Bombers and have used these both raw and manipulated and morphed by our sound designer/composer to create a unique and immersive soundscape.

Who would you recommend comes to see it?

Anyone interested in good drama, an unusual theatrical experience, historical enlightenment and contemporary resonance.

What do you hope audiences take away from it?

We hope the audience will be wrapped up in the drama, the fantastic central performance of Thomas Dennis and, as we approach the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2, reflect on what we ask of those who serve in our name - then and now. Above all - it's a great piece of theatre. To see great theatre no matter what the subject matter is always uplifting. So we hope they will be uplifted as well.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wireless-operator

Photo credit: Bob Baldwin

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