Call Mr. Robeson
Dates and Venue Call Mr. Robeson: 7 - 10 May, 2019 at 8pm (Tues, Wed & Fri at 1pm) | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
Reviewer Ed Farolan
Call Mr. Robeson, written and acted out by Nigerian-British actor Tayo Aluko is a biopic of African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson, highlighting his pioneering and heroic political activism. Featuring Ol’ Man River and other famous Negro Gospel songs, Aluko gave a splendid impersonation of Robeson, with his Bass Baritone voice and oratory.
The little theatre venue was jampacked with around 50 Grade 11 and 12 students from Lord Byng Secondary School taking a course in Social Justice. I could tell from the ambience that Aluko held their attention with his charism. The only peeve I had was that the piano music accompanying Taluko with his songs was too loud, drowning out his voice. But other than that, the production was flawless and educational.
Taluko will performing this 90-minute one-man show until May 10th and another one-man show Just An Ordinary Lawyer: another biopic of Britain's first Black Head of Chambers and part-time judge Tunji Sowande.
It´s a show not to be missed, and very educational, to boot.
© 2019 Ed Farolan