Being and Not Being

The Second World War was a truly global conflict, involving troops from across the British Empire, numbering almost as many as their English-speaking counterparts. 

To communicate with and train them, a lingua franca was needed.  The British High Command chose Swahili for East Africa, and Hindustani for South Asia. 

The National Archives (UK) holds a fascinating collection of training materials in these languages, including military text books, speeches and diaries by soldiers in all three languages, as well as once-classified official correspondence giving an insight into language, colonialism and power.

These records formed the inspiration for two writers commissioned by Applied Stories, Sharmila Chauhan and Ery Nzaramba, to each craft a 25-minute audio installation. 

Unlike previous projects for The National Archives, Being and Not Being relies less on traditional dramatic storytelling, in favour of a more stylised form, which can take in large sweeps of history, utilising techniques unique to audio, such as giving language itself a voice.

After a June 2024 launch event at SOAS University of London, both Being and Not Being plays are now available to listen to in full, for free, via the link above. 

They will be presented at academic and other conferences throughout 2024, ahead of a full launch as part of wider World War Two commemorations in 2025, with a particular focus on reaching out to British diaspora communities.

For more information, including press enquiries, or requests to present the plays in person at a future event, please get in touch.