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Drama on 4: Amah in the Bathtub

Amah in the Bathtub

27/11/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Amah in the Bathtub

Wives in 1960s colonial Singapore are partying, unaware of disturbing domestic problems.

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

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