Let My People Go

Description

In an alternate Great Britain, a section of the population – known simply as the ‘Immigrants’ – work in the service industries effectively as slaves. The dictatorial Prime Minister is determined to keep the Immigrants under control, remaining at the bottom of society. Her efforts are thrown into disarray, however, when the leader of the Immigrants (Moses) declares that his people wish to leave, returning to their distant homeland. Incensed, the Prime Minister vehemently refuses – fearing that the Immigrants departure would devastate the economy and throw the social order into chaos. Moses repeats his request again, but this time warns that denial by the PM will bring widespread disaster from his God, and if she persists, these terrible things will continue until the Immigrants are allowed to leave. Stubbornly, she refuses and the first disaster – a devastating flood – hits. Will she change her mind or will she stand firm? Touching on issues of immigration, faith and power, Let My People Go reimagines the Exodus story in a contemporary context from the perspective of the antagonist – one who will not give in and will not submit to a force more powerful than she can possibly imagine.

Biblical Connection

This story transplants the well-known Exodus tale - the Israelites attempting to journey to the promised land - from Egypt to modern-day Britain. The equivalent of the Israelites are an immigrant population (of various ethnic backgrounds) who have come to settle in Britain and now work as pseudo-slaves – working to serve the dominant ruling population for little or no wages. The equivalent of Pharaoh is the dictatorial Prime Minister of a fascist Britain.