The Adelaide Fringe has been a great vehicle for uncovering the achievements of remarkable Australian women who typically don’t feature in the history books or school curricula. Full marks to writer Peter Maddern and director, Malcolm Harslett, for bringing us The White Mouse, the true story of one Nancy Wake – an Australian who helped the French resistance bring down Nazi-led Vichy France in World War II.

The play begins with Nancy being parachuted into the woods to meet resistance fighters. Much of the play’s action takes place there, with an interlude in Marseille where she meets her beau and agrees to marry him.

Nancy Wake is portrayed as an idealistic and tough character by Emily-Jo Davidson. Theon Ajax does a good job as Tardi, the moody, laid back resistance fighter, and Tim Cousins adds a touch of gravitas as narrator.