From The Romans to Windrush

From The Romans to Windrush

Episode 6: Ira Aldridge

From the Romans to Windrush: A podcast series about the lives and achievements of key figures of Black British History: presented by Simone Adams, a retired lawyer, lecturer, podcaster and former Morley College student.

This episode tells the eventful story of the life and career of one of the greatest Shakespearean actors to walk the theatrical boards of Britain in the 19th Century, Ira Aldridge. Aldridge was a black American, who escaped the racism of American, to find great fame and fortune on the stage in England and Europe, becoming the Laurence Olivier of his day.

Sources:

• Article on Ira Aldridge can be accessed via the following link: Ira Aldridge – Black History Month 2022
• Martin Hoyles, Ira Aldridge: Celebrated 19th Century Actor ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1906190033