Daredevil pilots recognised in new centenary show

To mark the centenary of a historic flight, a new show will be staged near Swaffham as part of a Breckland tour.

British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first-ever flight across the Atlantic without stopping in June, 1919.

And to celebrate, the daredevil flight has been turned into a new play called ‘Those Magnificent Men’.

Among the venues for the performance are the community centres at Necton and Ashill.

Starring Radio 4 regular David Mounfield and writer/performer Brian Mitchell, the show tells the story of the duo making the flight in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber.

The aviators flew through dense fog, sleet, snow and hail, sometimes upside-down!

The play, which is written by Mitchell & Dixon, will endeavour to recreate the epic tale using just cardboard, two stools and some left-over props.

Beginning at Ashill Community Centre, the first performance of the Breckland tour will take place on Monday, June 3, at 2pm.

Necton Community Centre will then host the play on Friday, June 7, at the same time.

It forms part of the Silver Social programme, managed by Breckland Council in which daytime arts events take place across the area.

The programme is supported by funding from the National Lottery Arts Council.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 01362 656870 or emailing community@breckland.gov.uk