The Meaning of Zong
Written by Giles TereraProfoundly moving. A masterful meditation on the legacy of slavery
Dream the impossible: a story of one man's belief in the value of humanity, and his fight to defend it.
Two hundred years ago, Olaudah Equiano read the harrowing reports of a massacre aboard the slave ship Zong, where 132 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 true historical events, Giles Terera’s boldly inventive debut play The Meaning of Zong is a story of our time, celebrating the power of the human spirit against adversity, and the journey of our past to understand our place in the world. Performed by an ensemble cast, joined on stage by Composer and Musical Director Sidiki Dembele, it serves as inspiration for how individual and collective action can drive unimaginable change.
Supported by the Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation, The Mackintosh Foundation and donations toward The Peter O'Toole Prize.
Commissioned by Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre, The Meaning of Zong was presented in a staged reading in 2018. The pandemic saw the planned 2020 production quickly reimagined as a radio play, aired on Radio 3 as part of the BBC’s ‘Lights Up’ season earlier this year.
Giles Terera is an acclaimed actor, musician and filmmaker, who starred as Aaron Burr in the UK production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton – The Musical, for which he won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
The Meaning of Zong Post Show Discussion
Wed 27 Apr 10-10.45pm
For the past 3 years Bristol City Leadership has been working with community partners through the Legacy Steering Group to explore and implement ways in which Bristol can acknowledge, memorialise, and atone for its role in the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Afrikans. Through these intentions Project TRUTH was born.
The Meaning of Zong comes at a time when Project TRUTH is entering into a phase 2 and sits alongside Afrikan Heritage Communities own efforts in community self-repairs initiative through a Reparations Plan. It is timely then that following the performance on 27th April, a panel discussion will be held on 'The Meaning of Change, The Meaning of Zong and Project TRUTH for Reparatory Justice.'
This is a free event for the audience that evening and will begin after a short comfort break.
Profoundly moving. A masterful meditation on the legacy of slavery
Sparkles with ingenuity
Transcendent, powerful, a story of our time
A captivating must-watch
A resounding success
A resonating achievement, poignant and glistening with brilliance’
Powerful. Eloquent. Spectacular production
The Scotsman
Photos: Curtis Richard
