Once A Spy by Rachel Bublitz

FULL LENGTH: When the Germans invade France, Nancy, a rich socialite house wife, isn’t able to sit back and do nothing. Despite her husband's objections, she gets involved with the resistance. For Nancy it’s a slippery slope and soon she graduates from delivering letters to breaking men out of concentration camps. Forced to flee the country with the Gestapo and Vichy on her heals, she is lead to safety...
FULL LENGTH: When the Germans invade France, Nancy, a rich socialite house wife, isn’t able to sit back and do nothing. Despite her husband's objections, she gets involved with the resistance. For Nancy it’s a slippery slope and soon she graduates from delivering letters to breaking men out of concentration camps. Forced to flee the country with the Gestapo and Vichy on her heals, she is lead to safety over the Pyrenees Mountains. Nancy, however, isn’t satisfied with a quiet life back in England and requests quickly to be sent back into the fight. After training, the SOE drop Nancy back into France and into one of the Marquis camps, a guerrilla group of Frenchmen still fighting the Germans.

Surviving in a male dominated world, Nancy’s motivations are constantly called into question, forcing her to make the men see her as a person capable of great things and not just an object of desire. At the end of the war though, when France is finally free, the audience and Nancy learn just how much she sacrificed by fighting for what she believes in.
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Once A Spy

Recommended by

  • Donna Gordon:
    14 Dec. 2019
    “ A good spy tale in the WWII genre. This story moves with an exciting, sometimes erratic pace and dialogue. I would imagine Nancy's life was most enjoyed at this accelerated pace, so this is true to her character. Bublitz makes unimaginable risk taking accessible and believable. Without hyperbole, Bublitz's rendering is an apt tribute to a fascinating woman. We get the inimitable courage of this heroine. What a treat to see this staged. ”
  • Lee R. Lawing:
    22 Oct. 2018
    “ What a thrilling play to read. Based
    on the real life spy Nancy Wake Bublitz crafts one heck of a full-length drama that is rich with historic details and wonderful characters and dialogue. This play zings along and would make for an exciting night of theatre. Once a Spy would make a welcome addition to any theatre’s season and I would be the first in line for a front tow seat. ”
  • Rachel Bykowski:
    7 Mar. 2018
    “ Does a real "Wonder Woman" exist? Once A Spy proudly proclaims, YES! Bublitz shines a light on a little known hero during World War II, Nancy Wake. However, Bublitz does not shy away from making Nancy a truly dimensional character: she is vulnerable and strong; neither ALL good or ALL bad. Nancy is a human being with a courageous spirit.
    As a 20% Theatre Company Chicago member, we are so excited to be presenting this play as part of our DarkRoom New Play Development Series. Bublitz creates an exciting play that reminds us that women are more than one thing ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

This play is designed to be performed with as few as six actors, with intentional doubling.

  • Nancy Wake
    thirties,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia, married to Henri Fiocca, a Frenchmen, and living in Marseille, France, before the occupation. AKA Nancy Fiocca. Known to the Germans as “White Mouse.”
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Henri Fiocca
    fifties,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    French. Nancy’s husband, rich and powerful. Owns a factory and donates a lot of money to resistance groups.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Marie Baudin
    twenties to thirties,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    French. Nancy and Henri’s maid.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Ian Garrow
    late twenties to early thirties,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    English. An English Officer trapped in France after France had fallen.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Patrick O'Leary
    mid to late twenties,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Belgium but pretends to be Irish. Has a resistance organization in France to help people get out of the country.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Mar Costa
    late thirties,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Spanish. A guide for the resistance.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    20% Theatre Company Chicago
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Loud & Unladylike
    ,
    2015
  • Commission
    ,
    Loud & Unladylike Festival
    ,
    2014