This Bitter Earth

Soho Theatre welcomes a bold new staging of This Bitter Earth, the acclaimed queer drama by Harrison David Rivers

Making his UK directorial debut, Grammy, Emmy, and triple Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Pose, Cabaret) brings his visionary touch to this powerful and intimate story.

At its heart is the evolving relationship between a young Black playwright and his white partner, a passionate activist—two men navigating love, identity, and political unrest in a world that refuses to stand still.

Show details:

• Dates: 18th June 2025 - 26th July 2025
• Age guidance: 12+
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (including interval)
• Venue: Soho Theatre, Dean Street, London W1D 3NE

About This Bitter Earth

At a 2012 Million Hoodie March, Jesse—a young Black man—crosses paths with Neil, a white man who unexpectedly finds himself leading chants with a megaphone in hand. What begins as a chance encounter soon evolves into a romantic relationship.

As weeks turn into months, Neil becomes increasingly immersed in activism, while Jesse remains on the periphery, choosing not to step into that world. Over the years, their relationship unfolds amid a backdrop of protests, political unrest, and shifting social landscapes.

Together, they navigate the milestones of love—first fights, first reconciliations, first reckonings—while confronting the reality that no relationship exists in a vacuum. As the world around them changes, so too must they face the ways in which history, identity, and activism shape their bond.