The full cast has been announced for the world premiere of a small and quiet light, a new play by Stephanie Street that opens at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre this August before transferring to Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.
Co-directed by Diyan Zora and Elin Schofield, the production runs at the Minerva Theatre from 21 August to 12 September, with a press night on 27 August. It then transfers to Orange Tree Theatre from 21 September to 24 October, with a press night on 28 September.
Due to strong demand, a limited number of additional seats have been released for all performances at the Minerva Theatre.
Based on the life of Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan, a small and quiet light tells the story of an extraordinary woman who paid the ultimate price in her fight against fascism during the Second World War.
Priyanga Burford takes on the role of Noor and is joined by Kiah Arya, Léa des Garets, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Amanda Hadingue, Tripti Tripuraneni and Paksie Vernon.
Set in October 1943, the play follows Noor as she is interrogated by the Gestapo in Paris after being betrayed. As she faces an uncertain future, memories of her father, a lost love, her journey to war and her childhood piano come flooding back.
Noor was one of the secret agents of Britain’s Special Operations Executive and became the first female radio operator sent undercover into France, departing from RAF Tangmere near Chichester. Having evaded capture longer than most, she must confront the choices and sacrifices that brought her to this pivotal moment.
Street’s previous writing credits include The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Sisters, while Zora’s recent directing work includes Roots at the Almeida and English for the RSC. Schofield is currently Associate Director at the Donmar Warehouse and won the UK Theatre Award for Best Director for Scissors at Sheffield Theatre.
The creative team includes designer Anna Yates, lighting designer Ryan Joseph Stafford, composer Nicola T Chang, sound designer Tingying Dong, movement director Adi Gortler, fight director Sam Lyon-Behan and casting director Jacob Sparrow. Priyanga Burford also serves as consultant producer through Dawn Chorus Films.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
