Exiledcontent

Winner of 'Race In The Media' award for Radio Drama

SUMMARY

'Exiled from Paradise' is a radio play about the people of Diego Garcia. Since the 1745 these people lived and worked on the copra plantations of this island, in the British Indian Ocean Island Territory. They had their own clearly defined culture and community, and regarded their island not only as home but paradise. In the 1970s they were removed from Diego by the British government to make way for a US Naval base. Since then the Diego Garcians have been living in Mauritius, many in acute poverty. In August of last year a long battle to return to Diego was overturned by an Order in Council. This has banned them not only from Diego but all 64 islands in the archipelago. They are now using their British passports to come to the UK and start a new life.

The play was extensively researched with the help of the Diego Garcian communities in West Sussex, and in Port Louis in Mauritius.

CHARACTERS:

Lisette Andre (Adjoa Andoh)
Serge Andre, her husband (Jude Akuwdike)
Te Gabrielle, a singer (Clarke Peters)
Roznay Andre, Serge's mother (Jane Lapotaire)
Kizzy Andre, Lisette and Serge's 13 year old daughter (Charlotte Corman)

SETTINGS:

A range of locations in and around Crawley, Gatwick Airport and Port Louis in Mauritius. The play is set in October 2004.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

'Exiled from Paradise' was commissioned by BBC Radio 4 as an afternoon play. It was broadcast on June 1st 2005, directed by Claudine Toutongi. The main characters were performed by professional actors, but the production also features the voices of several key figures in the community including Allen Vincatissen.

Original music composed by Sylvio Lynx.

Winner of Race in the Media Award for Radio Drama

'EXILED FROM PARADISE' OPENING SCENE

[Roznay is in Mauritius: waves break softly.]

ROZNAY -Our dreams are all we have now. Of Diego Garcia. Our home. I come to this beach sometimes to remember. But is not the same, is not the same.

[An outboard motor from a boat is heard.]

ROZNAY -Diego very, very beautiful island. White sand. Like sugar. Palm trees, coconut trees, all kind of trees. Many fish in sea, bird in air. The simple life. There is no sickness. No cyclone. Everyone have job. We don't use money; all the time put your hand in your pocket like here in Mauritius. We are like one family, on Diego. Happy as fish in pond. Now I not see Serge for one year now. He say, 'Come to England, mother'. I say I am too old, but what is there for me here? What is there ever here for me? Diego is our island. Is always our island. But now I go there only in my dreams.