Call Mr Robeson, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

FIRST performed in 2008 and all over the world since, this was an ambitious one-man production.

Tayo Aluko came across from the beginning as genuine, warm and sincere. Paul Robeson, American actor and singer, was an intelligent and complex man with many flaws, but unswerving in his fight for civil rights.

It is difficult today to imagine what it was like during the 1950s and 1960s, but Aluko certainly brought one man’s struggle to life in the form of oratory and musical flashbacks into his life and work.

Mental illness and struggle often mirrored that of the human rights movement.

Aluko has a good baritone voice and there were moments of genuine emotion creeping through. He was accompanied by a superb pianist and the added dimension it brought was essential.

The evening followed the format of an 80-minute performance before a 20-minute question and answer session. It was a long time sit the lovely little theatre, but time went quickly.

The question and answer session brought home how prominent Robeson still is in people’s lives. One woman had brought pictures of him taken years ago and there was a man from Russia aware of a connection in Robeson’s life.

It was fascinating evening which centred on on aspects of his character and introduced us to several more.

Amanda Adams