Amah in the Bathtub
It's 1967, and the female members of a swimming club in colonial Singapore take social events seriously - but leave home and children to servants. By Judith Kampfner.
It's 1967 and the women who are members of a British swimming club in colonial Singapore take their social events seriously - but not all of them know what's going on at home.
A young mother, Connie Conport, is particularly clueless about problems developing between her two young boys and their nanny. She has hired an amah, a servant from China, who is a member of a group dedicated to domestic service.
Ah Chat belongs to a sisterhood of 'black and whites'. They wear a traditional uniform and swear an oath to remain celibate. On their rare days off, they meet up at their headquarters, the kongsi house. It's a refuge and a support group. These women are her only family in Singapore.
Elderly Ah Chat has good references - seventeen British families have employed her previously - but this position seems to have serious problems.
Sound Design: Jon Nicholls
Written, directed and produced by Judith Kampfner
A Corporation for Independent Media production for 麻豆社 Radio 4.
Last on
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Flora Hampton | Alexandra Williamson |
| Donna Simon | Amy Warren |
| Connie Conport | Ruth Moore |
| Rupert Conport | Tom Phelps |
| Brian Conport | Bryn Spender |
| Priscilla Hampton | Suzanne Bertish |
| Sun Yun Wing | Hansel Tan |
| Sylvia Lim | Margaret Leng Tan |
| Ah Sui | Jane Wu |
| Pianist | Hannah Nicholls |
| Writer | Judith Kampfner |
| Director | Judith Kampfner |
| Producer | Judith Kampfner |
Broadcasts
Wed 27 Nov 2013 14:15麻豆社 Radio 4- Wed 1 Oct 2014 14:15麻豆社 Radio 4
- Thu 15 Nov 2018 11:15麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 15 Nov 2018 21:15麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
The Shakespeare Sessions
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world