Leaner version of 'Porgy' opens in London

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LONDON, July 25 (UPI) -- George Gershwin's opera "Porgy and Bess" has been trimmed to two hours and 20 minutes and a cast of 40 for openings in London, and later Broadway.

Gershwin's classic love story set in the Old South during the Great Depression opens Nov. 9 with previews beginning Oct. 25 at the Savoy Theatre in the West End, Daily Variety said.

Director Trevor Nunn has reconceived the U.S. masterpiece as a book musical, tightening the script and drawing from DuBose Heyward's 1925 novel, "Porgy," for other material, Variety reported.

Musical director-composer Gareth Valentine reorchestrated and trimmed the score to be played by 20 musicians.

The new production is more commercially viable, Variety said.

"In a way, the Broadway run will be like going back home," said Howard Panter of Ambassador Theater Group and Tulbart Productions, which are producing the show with the Frankel Group.

"That's where it was first produced in 1935," Panter said.