Shrabani Basu, author of “Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan” joins assistant director Amy Crighton for an eye-opening discussion around the life and achievements of Noor Inayat Khan. This talk will shed new light on this often overlooked figure from history, and the real-life people who inspired the play.
Shrabani Basu is a journalist and Sunday Times best-selling author. Her books include the critically acclaimed The Mystery of the Parsee Lawyer: Arthur Conan Doyle, George Edalji and the Foreigner in the English Village, For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914-18, Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant (now a major Oscar-nominated motion picture starring Dame Judi Dench and Ali Fazal) Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan, and Curry: The Story of the Nation’s Favourite Dish.She is the founder and chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust which campaigned for a memorial for the World War II heroine in London. It was unveiled by Princess Anne in 2012. In 2020, she was invited to unveil the Blue Plaque for Noor Inayat Khan outside her London house. She is an ambassador for the RAF Museum in London.
Shrabani is a frequent commentator on radio and television on Indian history and Empire. She has been awarded an Honorary doctorate for services to literature (DLitt) by the University of London and the University of Bournemouth.
Amy Crighton is a theatre director and dramaturg from the Midlands with a particular focus on developing new work in conjunction with writers and working with new technologies.Our Saturday Seminars offer audiences the chance to go beyond the stage. Taking place on selected Saturdays during the season, these engaging talks invite leading academics, authors, and cultural commentators to explore the world behind our productions.
From unpicking historical detail to examining social and political themes, each seminar is designed to deepen your understanding of the play and enrich your theatre experience.
Previous speakers have included renowned broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, Martin Fitzpatrick, Head of Music at English National Opera, and Dr Will Tosh of Shakespeare’s Globe.
Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned theatregoer, Saturday Seminars promise fresh perspectives, lively discussion, and new ways to connect with the stories we tell.
All tickets £15.