A THEATRE company in Reading, has teamed up with BBC Radio Berkshire to create a new piece of drama.
RABBLE is an inclusive, independent women-led theatre company based in the town.
For 10 years it has been contributing to the region’s cultural life, creating local stories inspired by and with Reading’s diverse community.
It has recently worked together with Radio Berkshire to produce a new drama for radio, The Newcomers.
It’s a story that commemorates the bravery, courage and resilience of refugees who arrived in Berkshire 50 years ago, and is set in 1972.
At that time 1,600 Ugandan Asians were expelled from their homes in Uganda by Idi Amin and arrived in Greenham Common.
The drama will be broadcast over one week.
Its two co- writers are Pragna Hay and Beth Flintoff.
Pragna writes from her own experience, having arrived in the UK from Uganda as a refugee in 1972.
She stayed at Greenham Common refugee camp, and now lives in Newbury.
She is a businesswoman, a qualified microbiologist, a board member of various companies, and a trustee of Once Upon A Time 50 years Ago, an organisation that commemorates the expulsion with events and exhibitions.
Pragna remembers when Idi Amin gave all Ugandan Asians 90 days to leave with nothing but a suitcase and £50.
Beth Flintoff introduced Pragna and her story to the RABBLE team
She says: “Pragna and I have known each other for years.
“Before the pandemic she approached me, wanting to explore ways to tell her story.
“Working with her and hearing about other Ugandan Asians who experienced the trauma of being expelled from their homes is an experience I will never forget.
“It’s 50 years since this happened, but the subject matter is, sadly, just as relevant today.”
The play’s cast are: Nikki Patel (Amber Kalirai in Coronation Street, and Kenneth Branagh’s Romeo and Juliet in the West End); Shaheen Khan (Mrs Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham, Doctor Who, RSC); Maanuv Thiara (National Theatre, and Banquo in Macbeth for RABBLE); and Bhasker Patel (Emmerdale’s Rishi Sharma).
Also performing are: Jammy Kasongo (Aldrich and Aldwych Theatres and Southwark Playhouse); Dani McCallum (Sister Margaret in The Last Abbot of Reading for RABBLE, and professional stage combat instructor); and André Valente (Dusseldorf actor and theatre practitioner who’s scenes were recorded in Germany)
Lastly, Emma Boyd (a graduate of the RABBLE career development programme, and professional stage combat instructor); and Toby W. Davies (artistic director of RABBLE, with acting credits in the West End, Bath Theatre Royal and Southwark Playhouse.)
The drama is being broadcast over the course of one week, on BBC Radio Berkshire.
Audiences can tune in daily at 9.30am from Monday, October 24.
An omnibus edition will be available to hear on Sunday, October 30 at 2pm.
for more information about RABBLE visit: www.rabbletheatre.com
