Noor by Azma Dar: a look into the life of the first female Muslim war hero

Annice Boparai, Chris Porter in Noor Kali Theatre @ Southwark Playhouse. Photo Credit: Ikin Yum.

Over the last few years more and more people have come to learn about Noor Inayat Khan’s contribution towards the Second World War. For social historians like myself, we have been familiar with her story for a while, but still get excited when it’s interpreted by others who are not from the history world. I was invited to the press night by my friend, Sharan Dhaliwal - she knows my love for Noor and the passion I have for ensuring her contribution is never forgotten.

Annice Boparai in Noor Kali Theatre @ Southwark Playhouse. Photo Credit: Ikin Yum.

This play was going to be a different from any others I have experienced - the stage was spread across the room with audiences sitting either side. It made the play more intimate; we would be immersed in the story as it unravels. Anyone trying to tell the story of Noor Inayat Khan would face the challenge of what parts of the story to tell and what to leave out. I know myself how challenging this was when I decided to feature Noor in my Indian Women and War project.

The play started with an unexpected surprise, when we are faced with a conversation between Vera Atkins and Major Maurice Buckmaster. The interrogation led me to believe that Vera had something to hide, while questioning her loyalty on the protection of the women in the Special Operations Executives (SOE). For those not familiar with Vera Atkins, she worked and in Section F and oversaw the French operations. Although Major Maurice was responsible for Section F in London HQ, it is no secret that Vera was the one running it. I sat forward in my seat, intrigued by the play and the way Noor was portrayed - it was the same as what I had been trying to accomplish for my own project.

Many see Noor as a timid petite woman of mixed heritage, but she was more than that. The play played up on Noor’s attractiveness, which is something we know from archival documents and photographs. She was almost captured several times whilst being a radio operator out in Paris but would often use her charm to get out of situations.

My favourite part would have to be when Noor was discussing her engagement, and her desire to leave the war and start a family. She had hope for her future, but ultimately broke the heart of her fiancé. Noor was so serious about her contribution that she broke off her engagement and risked everything to become a SOE agent.

Annice Boparai, Ellie Turner in Noor Kali Theatre @ Southwark Playhouse. Photo Credit: Ikin Yum.

She suffered a lot in the months she worked as an agent, which is difficult to see. Noor put her life on the line and when the play showed Noor being betrayed, I was almost in tears. Although Noor is brave, her story is a sad one.

There was some mention of her family life, and I wonder if there could have been a mention of Noor’s mother’s depression, as she never wanted Noor to join the fight. Maybe a mother’s institution knew Noor would not come home and this is another grieving family. Mental health is being discussed more openly and South Asian communities need to be more comfortable to confront the realities of it. Noor’s mother suffered from depression since her husband’s death and continued into Noor’s deployment.

Caroline Faber, Chris Porter in Noor Kali Theatre @ Southwark Playhouse. Photo Credit: Ikin Yum.

The story of Noor is pieced together by conversations between Vera and Major Buckmaster, which allows those without any historical knowledge learn about Noor and her contribution. The play ended with Noor’s ultimate death - maybe this would have been an opportunity to highlight the government’s delay in informing the family of Noor’s death. We know how vital Noor was in helping the British fight the war, yet despite that, her death wasn’t regarded with enough importance, that he family wasn’t made aware of it until months after.

Overall, the play tells the story of Noor accessibly, allowing people to learn this history, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a historian myself, I wondered if there were chances to delve into the narratives that would elevate Noor’s story in ways that have not been told before. For example, towards the end, they mentioned that Noor received an award but it was not an easy process. She is hailed a hero but when you look at Noor’s personal documents there are pages that say had Noor been a man, she would have been awarded an MBE. The play highlights the difficulties Noor faced, so I thought this might have been included towards the end, leaving the audience with a talking point, about how women can give everything to fighting a war and still not be fully recognised.

However, it’s important that we learn about Noor. She will always be a hero and she did indeed “set Europe ablaze”.

You can go see the play until 26th November at Southwark Playhouse.