BBC historian Dan Snow, and aviation and historian broadcaster and writer Paul Beaver will come together at Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) new venue, NST City, on 1 March 2018, to discuss one of the UK’s most iconic symbols, the Spitfire.

This special one off event is part the opening season at Southampton’s new theatre, opening in February 2018 with the world premiere production The Shadow Factory, which tells the story of how Southampton continued to build the Spitfire after the Supermarine factory in Woolston was destroyed.

Director of NST, Samuel Hodges, said: “Behind every historical fiction are the original facts – the men, women, and, in this instance, planes around which real-life stories hung. We’re so pleased to welcome two leading experts on the Spitfire – that fascinating and complex British symbol, not free of contention, but a source of hope for many.”

Dan Snow is a British television presenter based in New Forest, who presents shows for the BBC (Hunt for the Nazi Goldtrain and Operation Goldrush) and other broadcasters. He has launched a new digital history channel, historyhit.tv, and podcast, History Hit.

Paul Beaver is a hands-on historian with a pilot’s log book, which includes the Spitfire along with the Harvard and Mustang. His latest book, Spitfire Evolution, was published in March 2016, to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the maiden flight of the Type 300 which became the Spitfire. Other credits include Channel 4’s presentation of the Battle of Britain at Goodwood, Sky News, BBC News and CNN International.

The Shadow Factory is written by one of Britain’s greatest living playwrights, Portsmouth-born Howard Brenton, directed by Samuel Hodges and designed by 59 Productions, the Tony award-winning design team behind the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

Tickets for Dan Snow in conversation with Paul Beaver and The Shadow Factory are available from the Box Office 023 8067 1771 or online at nstheatres.co.uk.