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Calendar
- May 10, 2024
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May 10, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ Brighton Fringe
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- May 24, 2024
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May 24, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ Brighton Fringe
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- August 5, 2024
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August 5, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ Edinburgh Fringe
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- August 12, 2024
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August 12, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ Edinburgh Fringe
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- August 19, 2024
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August 19, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ Edinburgh Fringe
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- August 28, 2024
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August 28, 2024CMR @ North America WalesFest, Pittsburgh
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- August 31, 2024
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August 31, 2024CMR @ Atlanta BTF
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- October 19, 2024
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October 19, 2024Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown @ WACA, Wellingborough
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My husband Peter and I attended your performance on Denman Island last night, Tayo. I can say confidently say that the entire audience was well entertained and very deeply moved. You are doing important work, as did Paul Robeson; know that we on Denman appreciate it, and your visit to our little island! I will do my best to spread the word. If Vancouver, BC is being considered, please let me know. I do know some in the theatre community and would be happy to advocate. Best regards, Dawn Binnington
That’s wonderful to hear, Dawn, thank you very much! I’ll be in touch
Tayo
Hi Tayo
Greetings from Wellington, New Zealand. This is Louise Gibbs’ brother.
I still remember fondly your visit to Wellington – your performance in that amazing old house and our dinner after with my mate Ranji. It’s great to catch up on your newsletter and see what you’ve been up to. I’m going to visit Louise next year in the UK and might have opportunity to catch you up again. Best regards & blessings
Hi Ernest!
Great to hear from you. Yes – I remember that time fondly too. Thank you for being such a generous host. It would be wonderful to see you next year. Blessings to you too.
I am so grateful you are fine after the ordeal of a self combusting vehicle! It is awesome that your talents are recognized by so many as your messages are vital to creating understandings.
I look forward to seeing you again next year in Victoria. Be well, Tayo, and please take care….I hope that you find moments of peaceful thought in our world that is so plagued with mistrust and chaos everywhere! Hugs and love…
Good work well done! Carry on the world needs people like you. Art changes lives although you’d be amazed the provincial English retired to Scotland here think it’s only about “entertainment”. Sorry to hear about the car but having just returned a new car I had for a while in exchange for a 19 yr old Honda with 146000 miles I can recommend my policy if driving old Japanese cars. It cost me £595, goes like a rocket on cheap LPG and has electric everything: leather seats, sunroof, wing mirrors a cassette player (!) a CD changer – remember them??? They have burned off CO2 emissions from their manufacture and it’s the eco way to drive as well as the cheapest. Japanese old cars Toyota, Honda the best.
It was with joy that I read you lead a masterclass in Canada. Does that mean you will do more teaching in other places, America (NYC), U.K. (Liverpool, Manchester, London, etc?). If Helen Mirren can lead masterclasses in acting, so can you brother!
You’ve paid your dues and are a wonderful teacher. Blessed, be.
Thanks, Martin. Yes, it was a real joy, and wherever the opportunity arises to do that, I’ll take it with open arms!
Peace x
Since seeing your two performances in Fredericton, I have given considerable thought to the hidden-in-plain-sight fact that people from the African diaspora have offered the most consistent cross-cultural, humanitarian witness-bearing in the world, one that crosses more forms of human boundaries and more effectively than any other and is adopted more frequently than any other. As an historian I am fascinated by what is implied by the tension between this global cultural gift and enduring racism. May your voice continue to be heard for many years. In appreciation.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth. An interesting, profound question indeed.
As a European Caucasian can I say yes, how true! Well said.
Happy New year Tayo and we’ll done for keeping the faith! Wish you a productive artistic season in 2018.
Thanks, Yetunde.
Wow Tayo ….that’s some schedule!!! Good luck ….will forward to friends where you will be performing…. Love your work
Thanks, Gabrielle! I hope to see them somewhere soon.All the best.
Sorry I missed your phone call. Sounds like it went well with Holly.
Congratulations on a good tour in Eastern Canada. Good to hear from you.
Paul
Thanks Paul. All the best.
Mr Aluko,
I had the privilege to see you preform Calling Mr Robeson tonight in Fredericton. I felt that the whole audience was connected to each other by the story you brought to life. Thank you.
I read once that “every act done with your full intention is a prayer” ; I felt that your show was a prayer.
I could go on and go on attempting to articulate what a gift your show was (I do not have your gift of succinctness!), but I do not think my writing could convey.
With admiration and warmth,
Aimee
Dear Aimee, Thank you so, so much! It felt very good tonight, and I really felt the connection very strongly. I feel blessed to be able to share it with people like you. Do spread the word! Best wishes.
TA
We saw Call Me Mr Robeson at the Unity – wonderful.
On the next tour please try to take it to the Square Chapel Arts centre in Halifax, W Yorks. Our friends will love it and we can see it again!
Thank you Dave. You might want to contact your friends and ask them to contact Square Chapel to recommend me. I have actually done Call Mr. Robeson there once before, so may have a better chance with Just An Ordinary Lawyer.
Hi Tayo
What an awesome newsletter…thank you. The videos leave one hungering for more performances… when is your return planned for our island? It is super that you are giving so many performances as I feel sure that you enlighten many with your passion and intensity.
May the year ahead be kind to you and our poor old planet.
Love and hugs
Mavis
Thank you, Mavis. Love, hugs and good health to you too!
Hi Tayo,
I’ve seen you a couple of times (last time was in October 2017 at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool and I really like your newsletters. So relevant and thought provoking. Keep up the good work! I’m sure you’re making a difference.
Chris
Thank you Chris,
All good wishes,
Tayo
Tayo, were you due to perform Lawyer at Doncaster – Cast theatre?
Yes, Michael. April 26. I hope to see you there.
I look forward to seeing Tayo Aluko portraying Robert Mugabe from young revolutionary to King Lear-like end!
Now, there’s an idea! Thanks, and watch this space!
Great work. Am proud of you
FLOREAT
My brother, thank you.
I enjoyed your performance of Paul Robeson in Llangurig, Powys, some time ago.
Please explain what you mean “The British Labour Party veering dangerously leftwards under a seemingly genuine socialist!”
Are you scared of the British Labour Party?
Scared? Certainly not. Thrilled for them in fact, given the performances of both main party leaders over the last several months. Sometimes my tongue-in-cheek attempts at irony are misunderstood.
Hello Tayo, I am thrilled to see you will be in south Cumbria at the Heron Theatre at Beetham next April, we will definitely be coming to watch the show there!
Best wishes, Anne
Hello Anne,
That’s great. I look forward to seeing you again, again!
Much love,
Tayo
So good to see you moving from strength to strength Tayo here and abroad !
All the best to you
Rosemary
Thanks, Rosemary!
Just an Ordinary Lawyer
I really enjoyed the play you presented at the NBTF and the opportunity to experience an international production. Two of the plays I saw were presented by international theatre companies. Thanks for sharing your play with us in the US.
A real pleasure, thanks for your kind comments!
Please contact the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to request staging Just an Ordinary Lawyer at the Mill theatre, where you performed Call Mr Robson a few years ago. Maybe a repeat of that too? I’ll endeavour to ensure a larger audience.
All good wishes,
Gillian
Thanks, Gillian. I will do that again (I already have) and if you could lobby them too, that might help!
Tayo I remember clearly your magnificent performance of “Call Mr. Robeson” I feel honored to have been able to speak to you after performance, where I had mentioned that my father had known Paul Robeson in Philadelphia before he passed on. Thank you so very much for updating me on your many travels, performing in so many places. Bless you for sharing your talents, your knowledge, and working so hard to educate the people. I am proud to have met a great man such as you. I certainly wish you all the best.
Thank you so very much, Nina. Very kind. Best wishes to you too.
thanks for your recent email with details of your exhausting schedule. particularly liked the Neil Clark article – saw him speak in Frome, where I also saw your moving Robeson play. Keep up the good fight brother
Thanks Nicola. Am working on coming back to Frome, and hope that works out. Will keep you posted. T
Way to go! keep pushing on!
Thanks, Brother. You too. T
Hello Tayo.
Glad you are busy
Is it worth in the future having a postal vote?
Best regards
Gill Dong
Thanks Gill. Tried both postal and proxy, thwarted on both counts, but it was a safe seat, thankfully. Take care. T
Congratulations on your award. Keep up the good work !
Very best wishes from Peter and Pam (now in Cyprus)
Thank you, both!
February 17, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, BC:
An outstanding and intriguing performance. I keep thinking now about “rights and priviledges.” Where do they start and end, and who do they belong to.
John Martyn
Tayo, stay strong. I’m sure your set backs at the border can only make your performances even more resonant! Please continue to kick ass and take names.
Thanks, my brother. So great to hear from you! You keep on keeping on.
Well done my Brother. We are all proud to have you as a Brother. More grease to your elbows !!
Thanks, Bro!
Congratulations on your great UK reviews. I often listen to Loose Ends, but have missed your ‘episode’ so I will try to catch up with that.
We totally enjoyed your Robeson show in Newcastle and will circulate your news about upcoming UK dates. Such voices needed now more than ever.
Thank you so much!
Just saw “Call Mr. Robeson” and it moved me so much, for so many reasons, that I am going back tomorrow to see the matinee. What was the attraction? The beautiful singing, the discovery of an amazing life story, the tugging on the heart strings of passion for social justice, the incredible acting, my respect for Tayo Aluko and his sacrifices to create this piece of art and bring it to the world for our benefit. That’s quite a package, and I feel very fortunate to have experienced it.
Wow, thanks, Christine DeLancy, thanks!
I always love reading your emails Tayo, thanks. One of these days I’d love to see a film made about Paul’s trip to Liverpool! Perfect excuse to dramatise the issues with freedom to write around the facts of the journey.
Thanks, Marc. Interesting idea! See you soon.
Dear Tayo, just wishing you all the best for your tour of England and the US next year and festive greetings! If anyone is considering seeing your show ‘Just an Ordinary Lawyer’ then seize the opportunity to go. I was privileged to work on the sound effects for Tayo’s Bolton show and thoroughly enjoyed his moving, passionate, humourous and inspirational performance, best wishes Jeff
Hello Tayo, Your performances are so good and above any standards.I enjoyed seeing you perform Mr Robinson in Yellowknife. Even though the evening was cold but I was warm inside enjoying your art! Looking forward to attend them in the next coming year. Enjoy Happy Holidays too.
Love from the Arctic North of 60.
Yellowknife is cold today at -45 C .
Hi Tayo! My wife and I sure enjoyed your wonderful portrayal of Paul Robeson when you were in Ashland, Oregon, recently. A Shout Out! to you for all the best in your touring and performances. You are helping to illuminate the world in honoring this Giant of a man!
Amazing performance tonight 21/10/16. Nottingham Playhouse.
An education. Thank you .
Well done, Tayo!
Wishing you all the best and hoping to catch a show soon
I see interesting articles here. Your website can go viral easily, you need some initial traffic only.
You should read about bucksflooder , this might interest you.
Thank you. And thanks to you for being there!
Dear Tayo this is just co cool. SO witty and to the point! Well done indeed! Will deffo come and see this when it comes round to our L’pl Playhouse studio. All the best for E’burgh and everywhere else! Rica Bird
In the Light of the Chilcot Report here is my song I wrote and recorded in 2006 about the Iraq war. The video is by Z360
https://youtu.be/uK9MM8GrXCE
Paul Shearsmith
You’re wonderful!
I look forward to seeing your new play!
Tayo – glad to here you alive and well. Sorry missed tickets for unity call by for a beer next time your passing. Regards Don & Ali
Keep motoring Tayo
If we ain’t got free speech we ain’t got much
I’ll spread the word about your Bath and Frome shows
Might see you at one or the other
Tony W
It is brilliant to hear you still battling on in this way. Best wishes and as much encouragement as I can muster. Peace and Love.
T,
My family and have seen your work, and it is been fun and frightening.
We are a British relic, a white working class family, who will fight against any form of prejudice. We did the Somme, Arnhem and Sreb,
Please take on board that not all white people, turned up to solve “personal issues after they bought the house in Hampstead”
My Uncle Luke came over on the Windrush, and dated my Mum’s sister Marion, not popular at the time. However her brothers were Royal Fusiliers and had seen it before, and could box a bit. The issue was dissolved. Luke is 90 plus, and still dances better than me.
White folk do not always join up for a hobby, a fair few were there already !
Many thanks for the recent very informative newsletter, greatfully positive and upbeat, despite our current world situation. Good luck with your future plans, and a happy, peaceful, and healthy 2016 to you, your family and friends. Very sincerely Jenny and Howard
Excellent newsletter… again. Informative & inspiring. Best wishes Tayo.
wow.wow.wow.
tonight was just amazing in leeds,a real journey that i did not want to end.
I have known the story all my life ,truly magical how you bring to life such an important story. The audience in the palm of your hand you could hear a pin drop! x
As someone who has seen and enjoyed your show in London, I am sending a link from the CPBML about the current refugee crisis and capitalism’s part in it.
cpbml.org.uk/news/eu-migration-shambles-and-drive-war … #EU #OutofEU #TUC15
Good luck with your continuing tour.
Thank you Anna.
A good, incisive read indeed.
Best,
Tayo
Hi Tayo,
Thanks for the update on your truly inspirational activities. Hope to catch up with you in London.
in solidarity,
luke
Thanks, Brother Luke,
Looking forward to seeing you.
Tayo
Delighted to hear of your numerous successes Tayo. No more than you deserve. In which park did you shoot the music video? Loved it!
All the best,
Lesley x
Hi Lesley,
It was Sefton Park! Glad you liked it. All best, T x
KEEP UP THE FINE WORK, TAYO. I’m sorry to tell you that the wonderful Frances Aulston, executive director of the Paul Robeson House in Phila., PA died last month (August).
Thanks for the update Tayo. You lay a field of inspiration for all of us.
Best Wishes,
Robert
Nice of you to say, thanks!
Always a professional and beautiful newsletter, Tayo, always inspiring. And this time you included a short video in which you recited a poem from our book “Tales of Wo-Chi-Ca.” Thank you very much.
Dear June and Gene,
What a great gift that book was from you, on my first visit to the US in 2008 performing the play. A book that I return to often, for pleasure, information and inspiration.
Great to see you continuing to fight fascism & injustice by channelling my hero Paul Robeson. Pity you have to, & that we can’t simply enjoy the great man and his music. Thank you – and God bless you.
Thank you for another terrific newsletter.
Keep up the good work, Tayo, and more grease to your elbows.
Suitably impressed. Forwarded to my friends. Hopefully we will watch you live. A group of senior groupies!
Stay on course….Melba
Hey Tayo,
Always good to get your news! You are always doing such great outreach and educations.
As a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, now celebrating it’s 100th year, in the early days, am sure, we supported Robeson as well as MLK. I always enjoyed seeing your performances. Hope to see you again soon if you come to Northern California, USA. All the best.
Millee Livingston, USA
I’m glad to hear that you were so well received in Wellington. I hope it runs and runs!
Best wishes,
Mrs S Hardman
My favourite comment is ‘it’s like a history lesson presented as art’s it truly is and highly entertaining. Well done Tayo you’re doing a great job.
Next stop Alabama?!!! Haha. I notice the League of the South are fighting for working peoples rights and so was Robeson, I’m sure they’d appreciate the commonality.
Good luck with the rest of the tour,
Ax
Hi Tayo,
Congratulations and many of them. You have done wonders since those early days in Liverpool. Your show is educating a whole new generation and hopefully warning them against the rather nasty prejudices that still linger in so many societies.
We hope to get to another one of your performances soon.
Love from Fay and Michael
Hello Tayo
Great works, you are doing an awesome work in your performance, I had the opportunity to meet Nelson Mandela
when he came to Canada, he met with our organization from Halifax “Free Mandela” there was approximately 20 of us that traveled to Toronto. He was so inspirational, we all learned a lesson from him of forgiveness. I will never forget that, I pray as you continue you works like that of Mandela and all other you choose to protray in the future. May God continue to pour his blessing upon you. I look forward to your visit to Halifax again and being in your presence as you bring the truth of our ancestors.
Blessings
Dolly Williams
Thank you Tayo, for all the info in your Newsletter and then for all that you are doing.
Refused a visa to the USA? Difficult to believe. Can you query the Embassy here?
As for MLK – I always thought he was killed because he had begun to criticise the USA re Vietnam. As Malcolm X had to be killed for asking the OAU to take up the issue of racial discrimination/inequality in the USA at the UN; and probably for his espousal of African unity and also for talking on socialist platforms.
As expected these things happen. I know you will persevere. Have you reached out to Gale King and Oprah? It’s outrageous indeed!
Congratulations you have such great stage presence. You are destined for greatness! Hang in there.
Thanks for sharing.
I am sorry that the powers that be in the USA are just as bad under Obama as they are under the Republicans. Obama has people in his administration that shows that sometimes it makes no difference what side of the fence you come from as incompetent people work on all sides.
If you were in New York last week and you did your visa that was approved, it is funny that now it is not.
Keep up the good work.
HI Tayo,
Thank you for your tireless work in “times like these.” I’m working on a exhibition/book project to photograph Jazz musicians at the Paul Robeson House in Philadelphia. Fran has accepted the basic proposal, and now the work begins.
Stay well, safe travels, and God’s best blessing!
Thad
Dear Tayo,
You are a true beacon of hope. I have seen Call Mr Robeson (at Tristan Bates theatre London) three times and would happily see it again. It was a rare find, having lloked for something cultural showing mid week that was more than entertainment I was very intigued and quietly excitedmwhen I saw your play advertised.
Then on arrival to find you had written such incisive and current production notes, relating the themes of the play to the day’s global news events, no mean feat!
Again, I cannot overstate how rare this is, both your passionate committment and your artistic achievement and endurance, really phenomenal. The play is a jewel, it lives on so powerfully in the heart and mind, so tender, rugged and lyrical.
It is a most terrific living testament to Paul Robeson and his ideals, most of all it is an inspiration to the spirit of all humanity, drawing forth the compassion, courage and dignity that are so sorely tested by the ravages of war and capitalism.
As an Englishman who had the pleasure and privilege of meeting, shaking hands, and speaking with Paul Robeson as a15 1/2 year old at a concert in London on 20th April 1949 (and for which I still have the programme) l now have the pleasure and privilege of having Tayo as a friend. Thanks to my enlightened parents Paul has been a part of my life from early infancy and I am, motivated by Tayo’s show, actively engaging with black people here – many of them complete strangers – in the street, in supermarkets, and wherever the opportunity arises to make them aware of how important he was in their fight for freedom and equal rights. Sadly, it appears that less than 3% have ever heard of Paul, but on the positive side, once l have given them some background they all become keen to know more and follow him up on the Internet.
Hi Tayo, great to see you’re still relentlessly carrying the flag for a great & unrecognised man, and for the fight against bigotry, injustice and poverty. Must say I concur with “Dom”, as a Derry born woman, but I know that you are only interested in the truth, and humanity in the world. Keep well Tayo, God bless you, Bridget.
So glad you are going to South Wales, where Paul was once a regular visitor, and well-loved.
My own personal recollection of “meeting” Paul Robeson was as a child (in the 1940s) listening to a record playing “Trees” which I fell in love with.
I thought that, since it was a recording, it must mean that the singer was dead, since all other recordings played in the home were of dead composers.
So happily I learned that this was not the case, and went to outdoor meetings in London, and listened to his voice over the telephone (Wembley Arena Daily Worker annual birthday meeting) when his passport had been revoked, and have been entranced by his voice ever since whenever it has been heard.
Great newsletter.
Anne
We follow your developments closely and wish you well, Tayo. Congratulations!
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada looks forward to you returning to be with us one day.
Namaste
Lynn
Hi Tayo
Great article. I hope Mr McQueen puts you in the movie.
PS When are you going to get the time to come skiing with us?
Cheers
Jim & Gwyneth
So good to hear from you and how so many have and will be enjoying and appreciating your performances. Hope all goes well.
Not sure if you know that Enid (Johnson) has developed Altzeimers? She is still sharper than most of us but very forgetful and quite distressed because she is completely aware of what is happening. I’m sure she’d love to hear from you if you have time before it’s too late.
Hope to see you again one of these days! Best wishes, Cynthia from Abakaliki!
What an opportunity for you to re-enact Mandela’s speech.
I am so pleased for you and you’ll do it wonderfully well.
Really glad you are getting the recognition (and engagements) you deserve.
Its good to hear from you.
Always good to hear from you and your bookings!…am happy that you are busy and spreading the word about peace, freedom and justice. Hope to see that you will be back in this area of the United States so we can see you again.
All the best,
Millee Livingston
Auburn, California, USA
Tayo,
Congratulations on being asked to perform a Nelson Mandela speech! I’m sure you will do well. I saw your Paul Robeson show at Arena Stage, Washington, DC, USA, 2 years ago and thought you were great! I look forward to the newsletters.
July 10, 2014
Congratulations on your work re art and politics. Wonderful opportunities celebrating your talent.
Wishing you well on your tour.
So happy for you!! You have accomplished so much in the past few years… it’s really wonderful!
Tayo,
The Roundhouse and World Merit Day sound brilliant opportunities.
Best wishes,
Simon
Get in Tayo….so pleased for you….good luck with all your up to 🙂
re vital; the comparisons unhelpful. Anyway after that rant, can I wish you the best for your shows in the autumn, and I do hope you make it back to NI. I saw you a couple of years ago doing the Robson show in Armagh and thought it was excellent. Best wishes.
Tayo, to describe the IRA as ‘an offshoot of one of the historically warring Christian sides’ is incredibly naïve and shows no understanding of the situation. Religion was never a major factor in the NI conflict (despite some extremely simplistic reporting to the contrary). Religion is definitely no longer in play and (although a few steps behind) NI is largely a secular society. Less than 30% of the population attend any type of religious service. NI society has moved on from the troubles with the organisation who planted the bomb enjoying no community support. I thought the tone of your piece was this bigotry was unique needs to be confronted. Nothing could be further from the truth. These are a few fanatics who are withering on the vine. Society has left them behind. As for the pastor we are hardly unique in having a right-wing nutjob spouting bile. Or racist thugs. Quite a some of them in GB. As for the USA the pastor would be a liberal by some of their standards!
Dom, a misreading (or miswriting) of one out of a hundred or more sentences. I didn’t name the IRA, and what I heard was that the bombers were an offshoot of the IRA, who were generally Catholics, no? It’s a newsletter, I had been in NI, and I was relating what had happened there when I happened to be visiting. I also mentioned bigotry elsewhere, the point being that this madness seems to be worldwide, however complicated and nuanced the situation is in each place.
The opera singer turns philosopher! I enjoyed this Tayo. Only this morning at the dentist we were discussing the value of History.As a retired teacher of the subject I can only concur with her view that people need to know what went before in order to understand today. Islam should be taught from its origins if we are to see where Sunni/Shiite conflict comes from, and Ireland should be taught from medieval times rather than from the 70s. Gets off soapbox.
love, Anne
Thank you for bringing some awareness to the political issues. I’m glad you are doing this work and using art to discuss politics.
Thank you, Femi
A very interesting newsletter. As one of the Editors of the Workers Music Association members’ Bulletin, I shall, hopefully you will be agreeable, use some of the text in the upcoming issue, as the sentiments expressed are exactly what I believe the WMA stands for.
Fascinating how Paul’s influence still lives on.
Thanks, Anne. I am agreeable, of course!
Another excellent newsletter, glad things are going well for you.
Looking forward to details of the next London visit.
I love getting your emails – they are a really good read and often open my eyes to news I would not have read elsewhere (I wonder why?….)
Good luck with your touring too!
Thanks, Sue. I am agreeable, of course!