A powerful new play telling the story of one of the Second World War's most courageous undercover agents is set to arrive at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre this autumn.

a small and quiet light, written by Stephanie Street, will run at the Orange Tree Theatre from 21 September to 24 October following its world premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre's Minerva Theatre.

The production is a co-production between Chichester Festival Theatre and the Orange Tree Theatre and is based on the extraordinary life of Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan, a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent who was executed after fighting against the Nazi regime in occupied France.

The play explores Noor's final hours after her capture by the Gestapo in Paris in October 1943.

As one of Britain's secret agents and the first female radio operator sent undercover into occupied France from RAF Tangmere, Noor evaded capture for months before eventually being betrayed.

The drama follows her as memories of her childhood, family, love and wartime service unfold while she faces interrogation and reflects on the journey that led her there.

Award-nominated actress Priyanga Burford takes on the lead role of Noor. She is joined by Kiah Arya, Léa des Garets, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Amanda Hadingue, Tripti Tripuraneni and Paksie Vernon.

Playwright Stephanie Street is known for works including The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Sisters.

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Alongside her writing career, she has appeared on stage at both Chichester Festival Theatre and the National Theatre, as well as in television dramas including A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Joan and Breathtaking.

The production is co-directed by Diyan Zora, whose previous work includes Roots at the Almeida Theatre and English for the Royal Shakespeare Company, alongside Elin Schofield, Associate Director at the Donmar Warehouse and winner of the UK Theatre Award for Best Director.

The creative team also features designer Anna Yates, lighting designer Ryan Joseph Stafford, composer Nicola T Chang, sound designer Tingying Dong, movement director Adi Gortler and fight director Sam Lyon-Behan.

The play will first open at Chichester's Minerva Theatre from 21 August to 12 September, where additional seats have already been released due to strong demand.

Tickets are available through the Orange Tree Theatre's website here.

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