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Bristol Old Vic: The Meaning of Zong

A play by Giles Terera

— ,Theatre
Giles Terera and Keira Lester kneeling on the floor on stage in The Meaning of Zong

Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera’s boldly inventive debut play celebrates the power of the human spirit against adversity, and the journey to understand our place in the world.

★★★★★ 'Profoundly moving. A masterful meditation on the legacy of slavery' The Guardian

Two hundred years ago, Olaudah Equiano read the harrowing reports of a massacre aboard the slave ship Zong, where 133 Africans were thrown overboard. Joining forces with anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp to publicly condemn these actions, he helped set in motion events which led to the abolition movement in the UK.

But Olaudah’s mission goes beyond the courtroom. Having bought his own freedom, he now faces a personal battle to rediscover his past and accept his true self.

Based on real life historical events, this highly acclaimed play is performed by an ensemble cast including writer and Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera (Hamilton) and co-directed by Tom Morris (Touching the Void, War Horse).

Tagged with: Theatre & dance

Running time: 2 hours and 25 minutes, including interval

Age guidance: 12+ 
Please note: This show contains distressing scenes, historical racial language, themes of slavery and violence and some strong language.

Post-show talk, Fri 21 Apr
Free to same-day ticket holders. Hosted by Bonnie Greer. With Giles Terera; Andrien Meyers (Deputy Alderman & Chairman of the EDI City of London Sub-Committee) and Claire Spencer (Barbican CEO).

Audio described performance
Sat 22 Apr, 7.45pm

Captioned performance
Sat 22 Apr, 2:30pm

Audience care document
We understand that some of the content featured in this show will be triggering to some audience members. Take a look at our audience care document for more information and to find support resources.

Presented by the Barbican

A Bristol Old Vic production. Supported by the Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation, The Mackintosh Foundation and donations toward The Peter O'Toole Prize.

Original production support from the Bristol Old Vic Law Circle: Christopher Sharp, Osborne Clarke, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, Bevan Brittan, Burges Salmon, Clarke Willmott, St John’s Chambers, Kannan Siva.

Image by Curtis Richard.

Creative team

A play by Giles Terera
Directed by Giles Terera and Tom Morris
Samantha E. Adams Dramatherapist and Artist
Jean Chan Set and Costume Designer
Sidiki Dembele Composer and Musical Director
Becky Gunstone Costume Supervisor
Barret Hodgson Video Associate
Zeynep Kepekli Lighting Designer
Ingrid Mackinnon Movement Director
Tom Morris Co-Director
Tom Newell Video Designer
Dave Price Sound Designer/Co-Composer
Kate Waters Fight Director
Jessica Campbell Producer
Ruby Gilmour Assistant Producer
David Harraway Production Manager
Zachary Parsons Producing Administrator
Lucy Topham Company Stage Manager
Fiona Bardsley Deputy Stage Manager
Zoe Gledhill Assistant Stage Manager
Andy Humphreys Production Carpenter
Katherine Mercer Production Electrician
Imogen Clarke Lighting Programmer
Cliff Thorne Scenic Painter
Sophia Khan Hair Consultant

Performers

Sidiki Dembele On Stage Musician
Simon Holland-Roberts Sir John Lee / Robert Stubbs / William Woodfall
Kezrena James Riba
Remi King Arthur Pigot/Kelsall
Kiera Lester Ama/Gloria
Bethan Mary James Joyi/Lord Mansfield
Rona Morison Annie Greenwood/Elijah Brown
Ényì Okoronkwo Ottobah Cugoano
Tristan Sturrock Granville Sharp
Giles Terera Olaudah Equiano

Reviews

‘Profoundly moving. A masterful meditation on the legacy of slavery‘
Guardian
‘Sparkles with ingenuity‘
The Stage
‘Powerful. Eloquent. Spectacular production‘
The Scotsman
‘Transcendent, powerful, a story of our time‘
Bristol24/7

Discover

Actor Giles Terera looks straight at the camera against a red background.

Giles Terera on the Zong massacre

‘It was shameful I didn’t know about it.’

In this article in The Guardian, Giles Terera reflects upon the horrifying chapter of history at the centre of The Meaning of Zong and the importance of making the story heard. 

Read now

Theatre

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