June 1944
One man’s decision is about change the course of history.
A single room overlooking Portsmouth Harbour is about to bear witness to the most important weather forecast ever made. 350,000 lives depend upon it.
The D-Day Landings remain the largest Naval operation of all time and it is up to Group Captain, Dr James Stagg, to forecast the weather. Except…
o His American counterpart, already famous from previous forecasting wins, is contradicting his every forecast…
o He has not one piece of meteorological equipment in a room not fit for purpose
o He’s now isolated, with no route off base and no way to make external telephone calls
Oh, and his wife is in labour with their second child. She almost died having their first…
Pressure
An extraordinary true story that thrillingly explores the responsibilities of leadership, the challenges of prophecy and the personal toll of taking a stand.
‘Funny, tense and deeply affecting’. The Daily Telegraph
‘A thunderous piece of theatre’. The Stage
Character break downs & playing ages
Group Captain, Dr James Stagg (Male 44yrs)
Scottish accent
Real
Chief meteorologist for the Allied Forces, drafted in as a Group Captain but not ‘served’. Born in Dalkeith just outside Edinburgh, son of a plumber. Serious scientist, intelligent, absolutely knows his stuff.
Properly brilliant lead role.
Lots to get your teeth into here.
Lieutenant Kay Summersby (Female 35yrs)
Received Pronunciation (RP)* accent
Real
Chauffeur to General Eisenhower, she was also his unofficial aide and confidante for last 3 years. Part of the motor transport corps. she’s a trained mechanic, very capable, clever, vivacious and attractive.
A great role, nuanced and very much more than meets the 1940s male eye.
Lots of subtext to play.
*An RP accent is associated with English upper-class speakers, and, historically, with the british establishment
General Dwight D ‘Ike’ Eisenhower (Male 54yrs)
US accent Born Texas
Real
Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.
Personable, a chain smoker, quite laid back but also the owner of a legendary temper. Took personal interest in his men.
Great lead role for someone with a great US accent and the charisma to pull off an iconic historic figure.
Colonel Irving P Krick (Male 38yrs`)
US accent Born San Francisco, Real
The first celebrity weatherman, made the forecast for the ‘burning of Atlanta’ scene in Gone With The Wind. Drafted in to the US Army by Eisenhower to forecast for major offensives.
Very charismatic, slick looking – quite ‘Hollywood’.
Andrew Carter (Male 25-30yrs)
Accent – Any
Fictional (but based on real people)
Drafted in to the RAF as a junior officer, Andrew is a big admirer of Stagg and his work.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory (Male 52yrs)
RP Accent
Real
Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force so the air commander during the Allied invasion of Normandy.
General Carl ‘Tooley’ Spaatz (Male 52yrs)
US accent Born Pennsylvania
Real : Army career 1914-1947
Commander of Strategic Air Forces in Europe, under direct command of Eisenhower for D-Day landings and Operation Overlord.
Can double with Commander Franklin
Admiral Sir Bertram ‘Bertie’ Ramsay (Male 61yrs)
RP accent
Real
Long naval career - 1898-1938. Coaxed out of retirement by Winston Churchill in 1939, he was made Commander in Chief Dover. Promoted to Admiral 27/4/1944, and made Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Expeditionary Force for the invasion.
Can be doubled with the Electrician.
Naval Meteorologist (Male or Female late teens/20s)
Accent – Any
Fictional but based on real roles that would have been plentiful in a building/HQ such as Southwick House.
Electrician (Male 60s) .
Accent – Any Portsmouth born and bred
Fictional
A light hearted comedy role. Delivered like an old time cabbie, retired, single, the electrician is going to talk regardless of who’s listening.
A really lovely opportunity for someone who doesn’t want a big role
Can be doubled with Admiral Ramsay