The Long Song

Details

'You do not know me yet but I am the heroine of this drama. I am told that here I must give a taste of what is to unfold. I am to convey that this tale is set in Jamaica during the last turbulent days of slavery and the early years of freedom. 'I was born a slave upon a sugar plantation named Amity. I was there when the Baptist War raged in 1831, and when slavery was declared no more. It tells of my mama Kitty, of the negroes enslaved, of Caroline Mortimer the woman who owned me. I am to say that it is a true and thrilling journey through that unsettled time. 'Cha, I say, what fuss-fuss. Come, let them just see it for themselves.' The Long Song is adapted from Andrea Levy's award-winning novel by Suhayla El-Bushra, formerly writer in residence at the National Theatre Studio and whose work includes The Suicide (NT), Arabian Nights (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and Channel 4's Ackley Bridge.

Cast/Performers

Cherrelle Skeete (July), Maggie Service (Caroline)

Creatives/Company

Book by: Andrea Levy
Adapted by: Suhayla El-Bushra
Corporate Sponsor: Seaward
Producer: Minerva Theatre
Director(s): Charlotte Gwinner, Rachael Nanyonjo (movement director), Charlotte Sutton (casting director), Chandra Ruegg (casting director)
Design(s): Alex Lowde, Dick Straker (video)
Lighting: Mark Doubleday
Musical Director: Michael Henry (and vocal arrangements and additonal composition)
Sound: Helen Skiera