Early Voyages of the East India Company & the Story of Corey the Sadhanian

As part of the Spice War Stories Project (1600-1625)

Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 6.30-8.30 pm

Lab 1a Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BU

More details on the project and how you can join will be provided

Corey, described as a ‘reluctant immigrant’, was the first black boy from the Cape of Good Hope (situated on the southern tip of present-day South Africa) to be brought to London by an East India Company (EIC) ship in the autumn of 1613. He was accommodated by Sir Thomas Smythe, governor of the East India Company, in his house, who took ‘responsibility for equipping him for civilised life’, giving Corey a nice diet, providing facilities for entertainment and living in the comfort of the English society of the time. But Corey wasn’t interested in any of these; in broken English, he constantly uttered, ‘Coree home go, Souldania go, home go.’ As such, he was sent back to his beloved land after six months, and upon arrival in Saldanha Bay in June 1614, he threw away all his Western clothes and ran away to live the life he loved.

Through the experience of Corey’s six months in London, the film will explore the vital role played by the Cape of Good Hope in the European craze for Asian spices and the culture clash that took place between Africans and the English, as reported in EIC records. The project will be led by Nayesh Radia (theatre director and TV drama actor).

We are seeking five to six young people, aged 18-30, to participate in a series of workshops where they will learn about and understand the European craze for Asian spices and the role played by Cape of Good Hope and explore the experiences of Corey on the ship and in London. Supported by the project leader, they will produce a series of scenarios and scripts, which will then be rehearsed and filmed for the final production.

Are you interested in joining the project and taking advantage of this unique, interesting opportunity where you will learn some history and help reveal that through the production of a drama documentary film? Do you have some acting skills? Do you have some experience and skills in camera work and editing? If Yes, please attend the information session on Wednesday 31 May 2023.

Each participant will receive an honorarium of £250 on completing the short film project and expenses for travel, food and refreshment.

For more information, please email [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Road, London, United Kingdom