Speak of Me as I Am

In this Spoken Word event – read from a lectern – actor and director Wyllie Longmore confronts Ira Aldridge, the black American tragedian who achieved great renown in England and Europe in the mid-19th century, but who was subsequently written out of history and, for decades, remained largely forgotten.

Aldridge came to Britain in 1824. Despite being regarded as one of the great interpreters of Shakespeare in his lifetime, in roles such as Shylock, King Lear and Othello, his career was constantly interrupted by racist attacks in the press, especially in London.

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