Howard Brenton: 'The Shadow Factory is an extraordinary story'

Howard Brenton's new play The Shadow Factory – which opens the NST City theatre in Southampton this week – is based on the experiences of the Southampton community in the midst of the Second World War, building Spitfires while dealing with incessant German bombing.

Directed by Samuel Hodges, the cast features Anita Dobson and Daniel York and has set and projection by 59 Productions.

The piece is the inaugural production at NST City, which is situated in the heart of the city and has a 450 seat main house alongside a 133 seat studio. It is part of the city's Studio 144 initiative to build a new arts facility.

The Shadow Factory runs at the NST City, Southampton until 2 March.