Drama on 3: The Meaning of Zong

Original version

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Series of drama performances, ranging from experimental works to the Classics

The Meaning of Zong

BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, The Meaning of Zong

Olivier Award winner Giles Terera stars in his own debut play.

Olivier Award winner Giles Terera stars in his own debut play for Bristol Old Vic about the notorious massacre aboard the slave ship Zong in 1781.

Recently starring as Othello at the National Theatre (as well as in Roy Williams’s Death of England and an Oliver-winning Aaron Burr in Hamilton), Giles Terera’s own first play also debuted at Bristol Old Vic last year, and continues to tour.  

Starring Terera as Olaudah Equiano, it explores the notorious massacre aboard the slave ship Zong in 1781, and how uncovering its story galvanised the growing Abolition movement in the UK.

Radio 3’s unique and award-winning audio version was the result of a collaboration between its star and author, Bristol Old Vic and Jonx Productions back in 2021, as work on new stage productions was halted across the country by lockdowns.  

Developed by Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre, The Meaning of Zong is directed for Radio 3 by Tom Morris.


Olaudah Equiano (Gustavas Vassa) ….. Giles Terera 
Granville Sharp ….. Samuel West
Ama/Rachel …..  Moronke Akinola
Riba/ Elijah  ….. Gloria Obianyo,
Miss Greenwood/Joyi  …..  Akiya Henry,
Ottobah Coguano/ Stubbs  …..  Michael Balogun
Pigot /The Manager  ….. Nikesh Patel
Lee/The Officer  …..  Sule Rimi
James Kelsal/The Bishop  …..  Paul Hickey
Lord Mansfield  …..  Michael Bertenshaw.

The score was created by Jon Nicholls with Giles Terera, and the company with Amanda Wilkin.  
Percussion, Sola Akingbola.

Sound design, Jon Nicholls 
Director, Tom Morris
Producer, Jonquil Panting.
A Jonx Production for BBC Radio 3, in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic.

This play does include some historical racial language.

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