Â鶹Éç

A musical love story for today - radically updating the iconic novella Porgy by Edwin DuBose Heyward (the basis for Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess) to modern London.

With specially composed music produced by Mercury Prize-nominated music producer Swindle with the Â鶹Éç Concert Orchestra, and from a script by Roy Williams OBE.

With resonant, timeless themes and mythical characters, the story of Porgy and his love for Bess transcends generations and is as heart breaking today as when it was written.

Its themes resonate - star-crossed lovers, an embattled community, sacrifice and ultimate redemption, during one hot London summer of passion and violence.

In our version, set in South London today, Porgy is an underground, anonymous grime/rap artist whose life and music are changed for ever when he meets Bess. Their love, and the musical journey they go on together, gives him the courage to shed his anonymity and perform his music openly. Porgy lives with a disability, but this is not a story about disability. It’s about falling in love, finding your voice and being true to yourself.

Cast:
Bess ..... Gabrielle Brooks
Anon/Porgy ...... Reece Pantry
Crown ..... Fehinti Balogun
Sporting Life ..... Idris Debrand
Jacki ..... Erin Doherty
Carly ..... Jade Anouka
Robbie ..... Ray Fearon
Amira ..... Shobna Gulati
Dyer ..... Phil Daniels
Pastor ….. Jumoké Fashola
DJ ….. Jocelyn Jee Esien

Sound Recordist, Alisdair McGregor
Sound Designer, Lucinda Mason Brown
Sound Assistant, Makashe Ogbon
Line Producer, Sarah Tombling
Production Assistant, Jacob Tombling
Stills, Kim Lang Studio
Music Consultant, Ray Paul / The PMG
Associate Producer, Nick Eziefula
Executive Producer, Polly Thomas

Original music produced and written by Swindle
With lyrics by Eva Lazarus and TEE
Arranged and orchestrated by Neil Waters
Performed by the cast with the Â鶹Éç Concert Orchestra
Conducted by Tom Kelly
Orchestra Director, Bill Chandler
Orchestra Producer, Neil Varley

Written by Roy Williams
Inspired by ‘Porgy’ by Edwin DuBose Heyward
Produced by Gill Parry
Directed by Michael Buffong

Supported by the PRS Foundation

A feral inc production for Â鶹Éç Radio 3 and Â鶹Éç Radio 4

First broadcast on Â鶹Éç Radio 4 in two parts 11 & 12 March 2023

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