Drama on 3: Bess Loves Porgy

Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Drama on 3

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

Bess Loves Porgy (Part 1)

Bess Loves Porgy

BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, Bess Loves Porgy

A musical love story for today, inspired by Edwin DuBose Heyward's iconic novella Porgy.

A musical love story for today, updating Edwin DuBose Heyward's iconic novella Porgy to modern London. Written by Roy Williams and with music by Mercury-nominated producer Swindle.

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 BBC 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 BBC 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 BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in two parts 11 & 12 March 2023

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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