The casting for the other principle roles are Cornell John (Les Mis) as Crown, Dawn Hope (Simply Heavenly) as Serena and O-T Fagbenle (Six Degrees of Separation)as Sportin’ Life. Peters and Hughes co-starred in the London production of Simply Heavenly. Peters’ credits include Five Guys Named Mo, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Iceman Cometh and Driving Miss Daisy. Hughes’ include Damn Yankees, Fosse, and Tommy. Porgy and Bess, which features some of the greatest songs in musical theatre including “Summertime”, “I Got Plenty o’ Nothin’” and “It Aint Necessarily So”, premiered on Oct. 10 1935 at New York’s Alvin Theatre. With a score by George Gershwin, lyrics by his brother Ira and book-writer DuBose Heyward, Porgy and Bess was based on Dubose and Dorothy Heyward’s novel “Porgy”.

Set in the fictional Catfish Row, South Carolina, the show was the first time the musical form attempted to reflect African American working-class experience. Since its premier the show has attained opera status.

Nunn’s £3 million (about $5.5 million) production will feature a 40-strong cast and a 20-piece orchestra. Rehearsals begin Sept 4.

For more information about The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess call (0)870 164 8787