The idea for Behind Enemy Lines first came when Louise worked with Movement Director, Divija Mellaly, on a previous show where they identified the story of Noor Inayat Khan who was a secret agent in France during World War Two. Louise then started researching the stories of the other female agents sent behind enemy lines and the work of the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
The SOE was established by Winston Churchill in 1940 to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in enemy occupied territories and to aid local resistance movements. Whilst the SOE operated across the globe Louise realised that the project had to be more focused and so Louise selected the 41 female agents of ‘F Section’ who worked in France.
Initial historical research took the form of reading published autobiographies, academic works and biographies. Primary research was carried out in the archives of the Imperial War Museum (4 days) and the National Archives (4 days) with visits to the following relevant UK museums and historic sites: Beaulieu, Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Harrington Aviation Museum, IWM Duxford, RAF Tempsford, Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and Wanborough Manor. There was also a very moving visit to the former concentration camp and memorial at Natzweiler-Struthof in Alsace, France where four of the agents were gruesomely executed. Louise also received generous support from several academics.
For a map of SOE locations please click here (external content/not verified).
The research and development of the show began in earnest in March 2025 with funding from Arts Council England and continued throughout the summer of 2025. The process involved 12 creative contributors at different points in the process with their own areas of expertise as well as additional support from volunteers, friends, family and professionals in the arts. Creative contributions included; costume design, dance and movement direction, dramaturgy, historical consultation, light design, set design, sound design and engineering and voice acting.
Rehearsal space was provided by the Hampshire Cultural Trust at the Aldershot Military Museum – with great support from the staff and volunteers and some handling of artefacts to help provide context and understanding. Additional space and technical support was provided by Wiltshire Creative at Salisbury Playhouse and by Lighthouse Poole as part of their Sanctuary programme. An invited sharing took place at Lighthouse Poole for feedback from an audience that had not seen the show before.
The process explored different ways to tell the story but was always based firmly on the research that Louise had undertaken – many of the elements in the show are direct quotations from oral and written records. It was a collaborative and iterative process responding to everyone’s artistic input.
Credits: Richard Budd; Production Photographer. Jules Bushell; Sound Designer. Teri Buxton; Costume Designer. Tim Dench; Historical Researcher, Stage Manager. Louise Jordan; Writer, Performer, Producer, Historical Researcher. Ian & Lottie McGinn; Videographers. Divija Melally; Movement Director. Kirstin Sare; Hair and Make Up Artist.
Voice Actors: Jules Bushell, Tim Dench, Louise Jordan, Chris Murray, David Oakes