Clarke Peters and Nicola Hughes, who have previously appeared together in the West End productions of Chicago and Simply Heavenly, will reunite onstage in the title roles of Trevor Nunn's Porgy and Bess. The world premiere of this new musical version of the Gershwin classic, adapted and re-worked from an opera into a musical by the show's director Nunn, with the music specially adapted by Gareth Valentine, will open at London's Savoy Theatre on November 9.
Peters' West End credits include a diverse range of shows, including Driving Miss Daisy and The Iceman Cometh as well as helping to create and starring in the original production of Five Guys Named Moe. He also appeared on Broadway in Chicago and The Iceman Cometh.
Hughes is a veteran of such West End musicals as Fosse for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award, Damn Yankees and The Who's Tommy.
The rest of the cast includes Dawn Hope as Serena, Cornell John as Crown and O-T Fagbenle as Sportin' Life.
Nunn's £3 million production will also feature a 60-strong company, including 40 actors and a 20-piece orchestra.