Category: Media

This summer, the RAF Museum Midlands proudly presents Bravo, Bravo! an extraordinary new show by the award-winning physical theatre company, Highly Sprung.

This immersive performance celebrates the life and service of the legendary RAF Chinook helicopter, Bravo November. With action, artistry, and aerial acrobatics, this family-friendly show is a must-see event that promises to captivate audiences of all ages.

A Show Like No Other
Bravo, Bravo! kicks off with a fascinating introduction to the characters, blending historical context with engaging storytelling. The performers bring history to life in a way that is both educational and incredibly entertaining for all, drawing the audience into the captivating world of Bravo November from the very beginning of the show.

The seamless integration of music and movement is a standout aspect of the show. The choreography and soundtrack work in harmony to enhance the storytelling, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere that will leave audiences in awe. In one of the most exciting moments, Bravo November herself soars through the air, leaving the audience both captivated and amazed. This incredible feat of aerial performance is a visual and emotional high point of the production.

The show delivers a powerful moral message, encouraging everyone to challenge themselves and rise to any occasion, just as Bravo November did throughout its illustrious history. Through three separate stories from Bravo November’s history, the performance provides a rich and layered narrative that is both informative and entertaining for all ages.

Insights from the Cast and Museum Volunteer
A museum volunteer noted that ‘People who are aviation enthusiasts and those who have no prior knowledge will find it very interesting – a taster of Bravo November’s illustrious history.’ Visitors can expect ‘knowledge, inspiration, and enjoyment’. He also praised the dynamic nature of Bravo, Bravo! Something he believes significantly enhances the visitor experience.

As the volunteer said, ‘You couldn’t do this anywhere else.’ The cast believe that performing in the RAF Museum Midlands, ‘surrounded by stories,’ connects the audience to the museum’s exhibits and thus brings the stories to life. The cast aspire to engage audiences of all ages and bring a particular focus on ‘championing inspiration in young people’ and for them to, ‘Make the impossible possible’.

Plan Your Visit
Bravo, Bravo! Is an experience bringing history to life in the most engaging way. Whether you’re a history buff, a theatre enthusiast, or a family looking for an unforgettable day out, this performance at the RAF Museum Midlands is a perfect summer activity. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this spectacular show and learn about the incredible legacy of Bravo November.

We had a great day at the RAF Museum Midlands with yet another illuminating performance in the museum’s theatre. Last month, it had been an adventure around the inside of the Lancaster bomber. This month my son, accompanied by two of his cousins, chose a show that explained some of the science behind rockets, jet engines, and all manner of other excuses to make loud noises.

‘A Volatile History of Chemistry’ was expertly delivered by a team from the University of Wolverhampton’s STEM Response Team. Check them out here.

The Team were amazing, a high energy time travelling cabaret act, with pops, bangs and the kind of carefully aimed explosive interludes that make for a lesson and a half. They also have fabulous wigs. Time travel is always better off when the wig choice matches the century you are thrown into. This ought to be the first law of travelling through different dimensions. I might write the textbook.

First came a romp though the states of matter;  solids, liquids and gases;  aided by a balloon model giraffe and a festive sprinkling of beach balls. Then  there was much to learn about the propulsion, explosion and inner workings of the ‘doodlebugs’ visitors might have met in the Bomber Command Exhibition in the adjacent hangar.

Everything was exceptionally well paced, and encompassed the wider scientific world while keeping a careful eye on the airframes and projectiles among the museum’s exhibits. The show felt very much at home at the RAF Museum Midlands, with so many links to all of the exciting stuff ‘upstairs’, the theatre is nestled beneath the Avro Vulcan.

No balloon giraffes were harmed in the fifty minute show. They took on the riskiest demonstrations that were too perilous for even the keenest volunteers.

(Checking notes, perhaps one balloon giraffe was harmed a little, but we felt it was in good hands, and would bravely return for that afternoon’s matinee…)

Audience participation worked well, my son bravely volunteered his cousin for one of the more explosive demonstrations, creating the dramatic picture above. He was as well briefed as a fighter pilot, and was given safety spectacles to ensure his eyebrows did not become part of the experiment. I checked afterwards, he loved it.

Plenty of consideration was given to more nervous members of the audience, the safety of eyebrows, eardrums and the calming of nerves was an absolute priority. A great balance, plenty of flashes and bangs, but no abrupt surprises. The team made for super-inclusive environment, knowing that within every room full of young scientists, there will always be a number who will frighten easily. No piercing pop or fireball came without careful warning. Well done all round.

We left the theatre with smiles on all of our faces, and untroubled eardrums.

Even I enjoyed brushing up on some of the basics, realising that my GCSE in Chemistry is a little rusty. After all, a lot can change in thirty years. A balloon giraffe is as instructive to the parents as it is to the kids.

‘A Volatile History of Chemistry’ returns on the 2^nd and 3^rd of April. See the Easter programme here.

We went on to explore the Hangars, of course. We found the half hour before our 1030 Chemistry show started perfect for exploring Hangar 1 and its Chinook, with an excellent introduction by a guide, before the crowds arrive.  The children also loved the collection of models of ‘never built’ experimental aircraft in Hangar 2, nestled under the nose of the Kestrel. Each model told a story as rich as the more famous ‘very much built’ machines alongside it. The museum has many of these relatively obscure exhibits which continue to fascinate. I hope to explore the future of Hangar 1, and the mind boggling depth of the museum’s more unusual exhibits and their future home, in the next blog post.

Our first guest post from blogger-in-residence Will Jarman gives a first-hand look of our half-term activities on a busy February day.

We set off for the RAF Museum Midlands for a new perspective on the collection, anticipating a busy day. As a dad, I tend to choose relatively quiet days to visit, but we had a ticket for my son to attend ‘Aircrew Needs You’ in the Lecture Theatre of the National Cold War Exhibition. So a half-term visit became a priority. It was nice to see how the hangar spaces managed to cope with significant crowds rather well.

We arranged to arrive early for our visit. We spent the morning inspecting the undercarriage of the Avro York, noticing how it was an adapted design, an odd cross between an  Avro Lancaster and a generously proportioned railway carriage. This would become quite important later on.

Booked eagerly for the first show at 11am, we had a quick ‘pit stop’ for a drink in the adjacent café and met a friendly tour guide who confirmed that we were in the right place. The theatre is concealed beneath that more triangular Avro product, the Vulcan. The tour guide in turn was welcoming a guest, dressed as though he had stepped from one of the piston-engined aeroplanes in the hall. I half imagined he had arrived by Twin Pioneer. 

The Twin Pioneer is a favourite of both of ours, though I suspect my son loves it as it is ‘gate guardian’ to the well stocked gift shop.

The mysterious visitor also acknowledged my son’s presence as a likely ‘recruit’. It was all very exciting. In this brief encounter, the day was already above and beyond our more normal museum visit, quietly nodding at exhibits. 

A moment later, we were in our seats in the comfortable theatre. The mysterious visitor made himself known as the master of ceremonies. He was evidently the Chief Pilot in a squadron made up of my son, and the other young visitors in the room. His warm pilot persona, carefully crafted to engage the audience without slipping too far into ‘Flashheart’ caricature, soon had the parents, grandparents and anyone else in the room fully ‘on board’, and ready to wrestle imaginary control columns. 

The talk was cleverly paced and introduced the skills and qualities needed to be a Second World War Lancaster pilot or any one of the other crew members. The subject is a challenging one. As it tackles ‘life and death’ in the broadest and most daunting of scenarios. The tone of the presentation seemed to balance the genuine perils of the role(s) with an appropriate dark humour borne out of honest realism. 

The subject was made real, immediate and was never ‘sugar coated’. It is probably the perfect manner of storytelling for an audience who eagerly absorb ‘Horrible Histories’ and books like it. I’m not sure I could script it so carefully, there was an energetic edge, without ever creating a tone too threatening for an age appropriate trip to the museum. As for the audience, there were many smiles. 

The idea of manning a gun turret neatly led on to aircraft identification. This was my favourite subject in my youth. The Avro York, parked outside the lecture theatre, was a star element of this segment. It was explained that of all the potential silhouettes for mistaken identity, muddling a chunky Avro York for a German Heinkel could be the worst of a bad bunch. Especially if the Prime Minister was aboard his personalised York, LV633 ‘Ascalon’. My son revelled in spotting a diecast DC3 Dakota at several paces. A crew-mate, who had sat next to him screaming ‘Wellington’ had the right size of aeroplane, and fundamentally, the right choice of ‘friend or foe’. They had all been paying such close attention.  

An important element, from our perspective, was that of Wireless Operator, working closely with the Navigator. I had a Great Uncle I never knew, who lost his life while carrying out this very role due to enemy action. My son knows the very basics of this story, but I was glad to see the role dramatically explained and related. It is better to learn, as a child, the actual practicalities first. The ‘Aircrew Needs You’ presentation gave a warm but realistic evocation of what those young men had to do to complete a mission. This paints a richer picture than beginning such a tale with the tragic end. It is better to start a story with a broad introduction, rather than beginning with a full stop. 

As a happier historical note. My presence at the show was in no small part due to a wartime snowball fight in between the Hangars at RAF Cosford. Without one wayward 1940s snowball, which my grandfather got into enormous trouble for, my grandparents might well never have met. But this is a story for another blog. The trajectory and ballistics of that projectile had all manner of happy consequences. 

The idea of faint wireless signals informing the direction of a huge bomber was addressed cleverly. It is worth remembering that the audience are well accustomed to seeking out wireless ‘hot spots’ with various electronic devices. It was another theme in the talk that was spectacularly well pitched. 

The rest of the visit was rather fabulous. One Hangar had the bonus, in my son’s eyes, of some basic maintenance being carried out on the exhibits. The Chinook is clearly very well maintained. A couple of experimental jets were receiving some ‘TLC’. My son asked if an engine cover could be taken off one of them so he could see inside, the volunteer obliged and it was much appreciated. I think he had meant to take the cover off anyway, but that kind moment of theatre was one of many that added a smile to the day. 

We both loved the way that the rear of the newly restored Wellington had been left open, it was a clever trick. By leaving an exhibit 99% complete, the viewer can see significantly more of what is inside. The tactile nature of the ‘geodetic’ panels, with keen encouragements to touch and investigate, were much appreciated. 

We finished the day with a visit to the ‘Flight Zone’ simulators in one of the Hangars. These were unexpectedly excellent, especially the ‘4D’ simulation of a Red Arrows formation. As I’d mentioned, it is my habit to wander, and wonder, about the displays in quiet contemplation. However this little adventure was great, and the simulator ‘ground crews’ were very welcoming.  

I have an odd habit. On seeing a much ‘hyped’ 3D movie, I think it was an ‘Avatar’ film, I was most impressed not with the three dimensional spaceships, but by odd little details like cinematic specks of dust on windows in the foreground. It was the three dimensional incidental details that for me, made a scene seem real.

Wearing some 3D spectacles that remind me of the Gerry Anderson ‘Brains’ character in Thunderbirds, I was put back in a familiar mindset. My son loved the view of Cyprus as we looped over the Mediterranean. He was wowed by the intricate changes of formation. I was amazed by the blades of grass and weather-beaten runway lights. While apparently hanging upside down in a barrel roll, I found myself examining the canopy explosive charges that trace wavy lines around the glass ‘bubble’ above. Sometimes delight, or odd fascination, can be found in the smallest details. Today was one of those days.