opentheatreFor a few more days (until 23rd August 2014) you have the chance to see Porgy and Bess on the Open Air Theatre – Regent’s Park.

A powerful story of love and betrayal, Porgy and Bess is celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre.

Porgy, a crippled beggar, is devoted to taming wild Bess and saving her from a life of ruin. Yet new beginnings give way to temptation as Bess is haunted by the demons of her past.

Directed by Timothy Sheader, this musical masterpiece includes ‘I Got Plenty of Nothing’‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’‘I Loves You Porgy’ and the poignantly beautiful ‘Summertime’, an icon of the Great American Songbook.

Drawing on talent from both sides of the Atlantic Rufus Bonds Jr and Nicola Hughes take the title roles. Rufus received a Drama Desk nomination for the original US production of Parade, and Nicola revisits the role of Bess following her Olivier Award nominated performance in Trevor Nunn’s 2006 production. Phillip Boykin reprises the role of Crown for which he received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for the 2012 Broadway production. Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke also joins the cast as Mariah.