Tayo Aluko Playwright, writer, activist, poet and actor singer has curated an extrordinary day celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
FREE TOWN - A Concert in a Play.Written and performed by Tayo Aluko
SynopsisA respected Sierra Leonean diplomat hatches a post-retirement plan to tour the world singing songs composed by his famous uncle, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. While temporarily helping out at the Philosophy department at Fourah Bay College in Freetown, the civil war that has been ravaging the country finally reaches his campus. Taking shelter, George Coleridge-Taylor reflects on his and his country’s stories, and imagines himself in concert, all while wondering if he dares risk trying to save the female student captured by the fearsome rebels.
Contains suggestions of/allusions to gender-based and war violence.
Reviews:“The sweetness and beauty of the songs provides a poignant contrast to the often bleak events they punctuate.” Morning Star
“One of the reasons I love Fringe Theatre is challenging performances like these.”Theatre, Films and Art
“Aluko takes on the characters of the abusers to chilling effect.”Edinburgh Music Review.
Music includes piano pieces and songs by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor,A song by Avril Coleridge-TaylorA song by Tayo Aluko, arranged by Deirdre Pascall
