This Bitter Earth is a major new production is currently playing at the Soho Theatre in London until Saturday, 26 July 2025. This production marks the UK directorial debut of Billy Porter, who is a Grammy Award, Emmy Award, and three-time Tony Award winner. QX did an indepth interview with Billy and you can read it here.
The cast features Omari Douglas, known for his role in Channel 4’s “It’s a Sin,” for which he received a BAFTA nomination. He has also starred in “Constellations” alongside Russell Tovey in the West End, earning an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor, and was part of the original cast of “Cabaret” at the KitKat Club.
Alexander Lincoln plays the role of ‘Neil’. He is well-known for his performance in the cult gay rugby film “In From the Side,” for which he won the Best Actor award and received a nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. Additionally, he is recognized for portraying Jamie Tate in over 300 episodes of “Emmerdale” and for his work in “Everything I Know About Love” on BBC1.
During the Million Hoodie March in 2012, Jesse, a young Black man, encounters Neil, a young white man who has unwittingly found himself at the front of the crowd with a megaphone. Several weeks later, Jesse and Neil begin dating. However, as the months go by and Neil becomes more involved in activism, Jesse remains outside of that world. Over the years, they navigate the complexities of their relationship’s various “firsts” against a backdrop of political demonstrations and social discord. With history unfolding around them daily, Jesse and Neil come to realize that, regardless of how they respond to the social turmoil, they cannot remain untouched by it.
This Bitter Earth runs until 26 July 2025 at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE, United Kingdom.
“This Bitter Earth marks an important step in my new company’s continued growth, as we begin in making our footprint in the West End. This play not only brings together the exceptional playwright Harrison David Rivers with the creative visionary in Billy Porter as our director. But also, a team of passionate artists at the top of the world’s theatrical landscape, to create a production that, the world needs. This Bitter Earth allows us to learn from each other, grow as individuals and heal as one.’’
Thomas Hopkins
“Harrison David Rivers has written a searingly poignant and necessary play about love and loss through the lens of the fraying American Democratic experiment. Simple. Complex. Direct and filled with compassion all at once. I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing this very special piece to life.”
Billy Porter
All images provided by the producers. ©Tristram Kenton.
