Bold and brilliant. Chichester’s take on Andrea Levy’s novel refuses to compromise – and the result is phenomenal
Telegraph
Tara Tijani and Llewella Gideon are superb in this unblinking portrait of dignity amid moral horror
Guardian
Charlotte Gwinner’s production is lucid and light-footed
Daily Mail
‘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.
Tara Tijani makes her professional debut as July, having graduated from Guildhall School of Music & Drama this year.
Llewella Gideon plays Old July; her many TV credits include Small Axe – Mangrove, The Real McCoy and Absolutely Fabulous.
Olivia Poulet (Caroline Mortimer) previously appeared at Chichester in Fred’s Diner and Top Girls; her TV credits include The Thick of It.
Director Charlotte Gwinner was Associate Director at the Bush Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres 2014-16, where her productions included Waiting for Godot, the Sarah Kane season and The Distance.
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Our programmes are designed to be the perfect insightful companion to the production. The Long Song programme includes Andrea Levy’s own introduction to the writing of the novel; memories of Andrea Levy by her husband Bill Mayblin; an insight into the creative process behind the production; plus rehearsal photography, biographies and news from the Theatre.
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Prologue tickets available