Ringolevio

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Drama: Ringolevio (Part 1)

Ringolevio (Part 1)

Drama on 4

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Ringolevio (Part 1)

Emmett Grogan’s wildly entertaining account of the American hippie movement.

Wildly entertaining account of the American hippie movement as seen by one of its most influential figures - and sternest critics - Emmett Grogan. Adapted by Jonathan Myerson.

Emmett Grogan’s freewheeling account of the American hippie movement takes us behind the scenes to reveal what Emmett called the ‘love hoax’. 

He co-founded The Diggers, a hugely influential anarchist group that opposed the immediate commercialisation of the hippie movement as young people flooded into Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco during the summer of 1967. Their creative direct actions have greatly influenced activists and artists to this day.

Based on Grogan’s autobiography, an underground classic of American literature – Dennis Hopper called it ‘the best and only authentic book written on the sixties underground’ - where wild fancy sits alongside documentary reportage and heartfelt conviction. 

Jonathan Myerson’s adaptation is a rollercoaster ride containing no less than 114 speaking parts across two episodes. The production also features an original and vibrant soundtrack by Mzylkypop performed on vintage instruments including the Gibson G101 organ, Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, and RMI Electra-piano, and with Maestro analogue effects.

Ringolevio overturns the typical image of the summer of love to create an authentic and inspiring, though ultimately doomed, alternative narrative.

Cast:
Grogan 	Riley Neldam
Dorothy	Nancy Crane
Charles	Kerry Shale
The Hun	Robert Gilbert
Coyote	Danny Mahoney
Billy		Nathan Wiley
Natural Suzanne		Lanna Joffrey
Hip Leader			Nigel Whitmey
Brautigan			Josh Cowdery

All other parts played by members of the company.

Written by Emmett Grogan
Adapted by Jonathan Myerson

Music by Mzylkypop:
Keyboards, winds, composer	Mick Somerset
Electric bass			Philippe Clegg
Drums 				Jarrod Gosling
Treatments			Dean Honer

Sound design by		Alisdair McGregor
Produced and Directed by	Boz Temple-Morris	

A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4

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