Giles Terera’s debut play The Meaning of Zong to be broadcast on 21st March as part of BBC Lights Up season, in partnership with Bristol Old Vic and Jonx Productions.

As the UK approaches the anniversary of theatre closures due to lockdown, Bristol Old Vic partners with the BBC Lights Up season celebrating British Theatre and new writing, with a radio broadcast of Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera’s debut play, The Meaning of Zong.

Originally developed by Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre, it was first presented as a rehearsed reading by Bristol Old Vic in 2018. The Meaning of Zong tells of the massacre aboard the slave ship Zong in 1781 where more than 130 enslaved Africans lost their lives. Olaudah Equiano, a freedman, brought news of the massacre to the attention of the anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp. Reports of the massacre and subsequent court case received increased publicity, and galvanised the abolition movement in the UK.

This new audio version of the play will be  broadcast on BBC Radio3 on 21^st March at 7.30pm before being available on BBC Sounds. Hamilton actor Giles Terera will star as Olaudah Equiano, alongside Samuel West as Granville Sharpe. The cast also includes Akiya Henry, Moronkẹ Akinola, Gloria Obianyo, Michael Balogun, Nikesh Patel, Sule Rimi, Michael Bertenshaw and Paul Hickey.

On 31st March, Bristol Old Vic will also host a free Q&A event for audience, cast and creative team to join together to explore further the difficult issues raised by the play. Details to be announced.