Billy Porter is an award-winning actor, singer, and producer among many other talents and recently starred as Emcee in Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre.
He’s just to embarked on another project here in London, making his West End directing debut in This Bitter Earth. I caught up with him just before the show kicjed to see how he was feeling about it.
How was your time in Cabaret?
I’ve been here since December. The show is great. It can be challenging emotionally, but I feel I’m in my purpose. I feel blessed.
Having never performed in the West End before, what attracted you now?
It was the role. I’ve always wanted to play in London. Over the last couple of years, I’ve worked on music and films here, and I like the energy. It’s been a gift to be able to be here, particularly during the start of this second Trump administration. I’ve been able to recharge.. I’ve called this my self-care trip!
And you’re here for a bit longer after Cabaret ends to direct This Bitter Earth – how did that come about?
It just fell in my lap. The producer Tom Hopkins wanted to do the play and wanted me to direct it. I happened to meet one of his associates in Soho and he sent me the script. It’s a beautiful story of an inter-racial gay couple working through and having the courage to have some tough conversations that inter-racial couples need to have in order to exist, thrive and laugh. The backdrop is the civil unrest from 2012-2015 in the States and it takes place in New York and Minnesota. As a 55-year-old gay black man, I see my life as pre-George Floyd and post-George Floyd.
I grew up in a generation after the civil rights movement, where you just had to be excellent and not talk about race. I was never given the opportunity pre-George Floyd to sit in the reality of what it means to really be black. My generation wasn’t allowed to have those conversations. So it’s interesting to be working on a play where all of those conversations are being played out and I’m actually learning so much. It’s been healing for me.
Pride is soon – have you been to London Pride before?
I did Pride London in Trafalgar Square in 2019. Last year, I did Brighton and this year I’m heading to Manchester. Pride is Pride is Pride, honey! I’ve been around since 1988 and what I love is that it’s about community and coming together in a physical form. It’s always very healing. They all have that component and the same intention, which is very powerful.
What do you think of the recent Supreme Court decision here?
I don’t understand what it is about human nature that sometimes people feel as though legislating other people’s humanity is appropriate. We have to remember we are all worthy — all of us. And you know when America gets sick, London gets a cold, so I am not surprised about what happened.
I know you’re always massively busy when you’re here, but have you managed to get some downtime and see some other shows?
I went to see The Devil Wears Prada and I loved it, the talent is extraordinary. And also Titanique, which again I loved. You can go there and see an audience full of theatre nerds and Celine Dion fans, and the two worlds melt together. I’ve got a bunch of other stuff to see as well!
The Bitter Earth continues until Saturday 26th July,
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street,
W1D 3NE. Nearest Station:
Tottenham Court Road
