At first blush, Tayo Aluko might seem an unlikely candidate to keep alive the genius of the late Paul Robeson.

For starters, the Nigerian-born Aluko lives in Liverpool, England, and is an architect by profession. Until age 33, he said, he had never even heard of the acclaimed athlete/actor/singer/scholar and civil rights activist.

But several years after someone suggested that his baritone voice was reminiscent of Robeson’s, Aluko began researching the man who, in his day, was inarguably the most well-known African American in the world.

He learned that in the 1940s, Robeson was a forerunner to some of the better-known civil rights leaders. He learned that Robeson was outspoken for social justice and had the temerity to befriend the Soviet Union at a time when it was politically suicidal to do so. He learned that Robeson, who once earned more than $100,000 a year as an entertainer, became so reviled that even the NAACP denounced him, and that his annual earnings dropped to less than $6,000.

“For eight or nine years he really suffered economic assassination,” Aluko said, recalling that the U.S. government even cancelled Robson’s passport to prevent him from earning money – and making political speeches – abroad.

Aluko said that he became so fascinated with Robeson’s life and accomplishments, in fact, that in 2005 he wrote a one-man play, “Call Mr. Robeson,” based on the life and songs of the man he feels has been largely forgotten. (Robeson died in 1976.)

On Saturday, Aluko will bring that award-winning play to Charlotte’s Booth Playhouse.

The play represents a journey through Robeson's remarkable life. It also features some of his famous songs and speeches, including a rendition of "Ol' Man River."

Aluko said he has performed the play on three continents. He brought it to the United States in February as part of Black History Month, performing mainly on the West Coast.

On his way back to England, he said, he stopped in Charlotte to visit his brother, Dr. Yele Aluko, and decided to do a performance here. He will do another on Sunday in Charlottesville, Va.

“Paul Robeson’s story is such a universal story,” he told Qcitymetro.com in a recent interview. “He touched people personally.”

Aluko said he is pleased with the reception the play has gotten in the United States, and he admits to being slightly intimidated at first by the idea of portraying one of the greatest voices of all time.

“I’m over it now,” he said, “because I have always known that I could not match it. From the time that woman said I reminded her of him, I’ve been content with doing just that, portraying him without wanting or needing to imitate him.”

Aluko’s Charlotte performance is sponsored in part by the Harvey B. Gantt Center.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:
Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Booth Playhouse
Cost: $20 for general admission; $35 for VIP
For ticket information, visit Carolinatix.org.
 

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