On a warm summer’s evening there can be nothing better than sitting in an open air amphitheatre in the centre of London sipping a glass of chilled white wine. We gazed at a lonely red chair in the centre of the stage with a stunning burnished copper rock-face back drop behind it.
Nicola Hughes mesmerised as she sauntered lazily and sexily onto the stage in a tight black corset and then – fuelled by drugs and liquor – danced with abandon supported by seven singing and smoking guys in dark suits and trilbies. She radiated wild and dangerous.
The contrast with tender motherhood couldn’t have been greater as Jade Ewen (of Sugarbabes fame) playing Clara sang “Summertime” in a higher key than I am used to - but it was still delicate, moving and soulful. Then we met the apron-clad God-fearing working women and they filled the stage with frustrated energy as their men demanded their right to relax and gamble. The fight scene and subsequent mourning were engrossing.
Porgy (Rufus Bons Jr) captured the lightness of “I got plenty of nothing” and the tenderness of “Bess you is my woman” perfectly. Throughout the musical his character grew in strength and harmony with his increasing love for Bess. I imagined the lawyers in the audience freaking at the idea of a one dollar divorce.
Act 2 opened with the joyous beach party/picnic – the dresses and dancing were wonderful. Then Serena’s prayers in “Doctor Jesus” took us back skilfully to deep sadness. The fruit sellers’ tunes were haunting.
Wearing a lime green suit reminiscent of The Mask, Cedric Neal (Sporting Life) did justice to the famous tunes “It ain’t necessarily so” and “There’s a boat that’s leaving soon”. Philip Boykin as Crown cut an imposing figure with a deep, rich voice. His portrayal of a powerful and menacing bully had the young girls seated in front of me hiding their faces from the drama.
The hurricane chaos and fear was memorable – the lighting and sound guys should win an award. And whoever imagined the creation of boats and pathways from simple tables and chairs was inspired. Summertime was reprised towards the end – which was great as it’s one of my all-time favourite songs.
Drug dealers, addicts, gambling, murderers, lovers, passion, community – and the choice of quiet home life against a party-fuelled time in the bright lights City - the production absolutely hit the spot confirming the Gershwins’ genius and artful interpretation by directors Timothy Sheader and David Shrubsole.
It is a must-see. And you have until the 23rd August.
https://openairtheatre.com/production/the-gershwinsbrporgy-and-bess
