Bess Loves Porgy [Drama On 3]

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 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.

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 - .. Jumok退 Fashola

DJ - .. Jocelyn Jee Esien

Sound Recordist, Alisdair McGregor

Sound Designer, Lucinda Mason Brown

Sound Assistant, Makashe Ogbon

Line Producer, Sarah Tombling

Prodcution 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 4 and BBC Radio 3

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

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

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.

Production Assistant, Jacob Tombling

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