The other day, I posted a couple of recordings here and here of the great performer and activist Paul Robeson. I came across an interesting one-man show, Call Mr. Robeson, written and performed (with songs) by Tayo Aluko, Nigerian-born but living now in Liverpool.
There are a number of one-man shows about Paul Robeson, and they all provide a challenge. Not only was he such a strong actor himself, but such a brilliant distinctive singer, with his deep, rich baritone. Trying to duplicate him brings necessary comparison, but to leave out the singing leaves a hole.
I've only seen sequences of Mr. Aluko's show -- which he's performed at Carnegie Hall, and for which he won Best Actor at the Brighton Fringe Festival -- but of that, his show comes across as thoughtful, well-written, and nicely performed.
Here's a 6-1/2 minute excerpt.
There are a number of one-man shows about Paul Robeson, and they all provide a challenge. Not only was he such a strong actor himself, but such a brilliant distinctive singer, with his deep, rich baritone. Trying to duplicate him brings necessary comparison, but to leave out the singing leaves a hole.
I've only seen sequences of Mr. Aluko's show -- which he's performed at Carnegie Hall, and for which he won Best Actor at the Brighton Fringe Festival -- but of that, his show comes across as thoughtful, well-written, and nicely performed.
Here's a 6-1/2 minute excerpt.
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