DOUBLE AWARD WINNER RETURNS TO BRIGHTON WITH “BARACK AND ROBESON” DOUBLE BILL
“Before Barack Obama there was Martin Luther King, and before King, there was Paul Robeson”
Thus starts the Latest 7 review of CALL MR. ROBESON at the 2008 Brighton Festival Fringe, at which its writer and performer, Nigerian born Tayo Aluko picked up both an Argus Angel Award for Artisitic Excellence and the Best Male Performer Award.
Review of "Call Mr. Robeson"
“Tayo Aluko's portrayal of Robeson is spot on. This is ... a thrilling, moving and marvellously entertaining musical drama. Aluko's singing of Robeson songs like Ol' Man River and Steal Away is totally soulful and convincing – just like this show!" ***** Bill Smith
Three Weeks also gave the play 5 Stars, their reviewer, Seth Ewin saying how the show “... defies definition ... Songs from shows and songs of struggle beautifully complement the narrative and the intense speeches ... the acting... is ... faultless ... A moving tribute.”
CALL MR. ROBESON returns by invitation of Tony Jaffe of Old Courtroom Productions for a limited run this year to The Old Courtroom from Thursday to Sunday 6th to 9th May.
Call Mr. Robeson is a roller coaster journey through Robeson’s remarkable and eventful life, and highlights how his radical activism caused him to be disowned and disremembered, even by the leaders and descendants of the civil rights movement. It features some of his famous songs and speeches, including a dramatic rendition of Ol’ Man River and a spectacularly defiant testimony in front of the Senate House Un-American Activities Committee.
Review of "I Got a Home in Barak"
Aluko will also be performing another show, I GOT A HOME IN BARACK, at Laughing Horse @ Temple on the Tuesday and Wednesday 4th and 5th May. “Home in Barack”, is a historical survey of Black resistance to white domination through the ages, illustrated throughout with Spirituals, sung live to piano accompaniment. It is subtitled “From Africa to the White House. A journey in resistance, triumph and spirituals” and also defies definition, being something like a cross between a history lesson and a concert.
About Tayo Aluko
Aluko, who is based in Liverpool, is almost ashamed to admit that he was 33 years old when he first found out about Paul Robeson, who was very famous all over the world in the 1930s and 40s, but has been literally written out of history since his death in 1976.
After reading Robeson’s biography, he says he decided “that Robeson’s story needed to be told, not just because it was so remarkable, but because it is so inspiring. I am thrilled by the reception the story has received in UK, America and Africa.” He goes on to explain how Robeson’s story drew him to develop an interest in other forgotten civil rights fighters, and come up with Home in Barack.
He has performed both pieces all over the UK, the US, Canada and Nigeria, to people aged from 11 to 90. Home in Barack was recently performed in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was Distinguished Artist in Residence at the University of North Carolina in March, and Call Mr. Robeson was seen at the DC Arts Center in Washington, DC in November, where it was previewed in the Washington Post and was selected as a “TOP PICK” by the DC Theater Scene reviewer, who described it as “An invigorating and rich story for novice and scholar alike. Aluko seems to almost channel Robeson's fury as he takes the stand for justice and equity. A must-see experience, a treasure of a show”.
The Philadelphia Inquirer described it as: “[A] fine evocation of one of America's great talents and most controversial social activists.. Aluko's nicely paced tour through Robeson's career and life ... does honor to Robeson the performer and intellectual.”
Accompanying Aluko for both performances will be Jazz Pianist Michael Conliffe, who has also performed in another play, God Bless The Child about another legend, Billie Holiday.
Call Mr Robeson:
Winner, Angel Award for Artistic Excellence;
Nominee, Best Show.
Tayo Aluko: Winner, Best Male Performer.
Brighton Festival Fringe, May 2008
Listings Information:
What: I Got A Home in Barack. Written and Performed by Tayo Aluko,
with Michael Conliffe, Piano.
Where: Laughing Horse @ The Temple, The Temple, BN1 2AD
When: Tuesday, Wednesday 4th and 5th May 2010, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM .
60 minutes, no interval. Ages 14+ Admission: FREE Box Office: 01273 721 501
Call Mr. Robeson. A life, with songs. Written and Performed by Tayo Aluko,
with Michael Conliffe, Piano.
Where: The Old Courtroom, 118 Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UD
When: Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th May 2010, 9.00pm. . 75 minutes, no interval. Ages 11+
Tickets: £12/£10 Box Office: 01273 775061
