Award-winner portrays civil rights campaigner's life.

THE life of actor, singer and civil rights campaigner Paul Robeson will be portrayed in a one-man show at Southport Arts Centre next week.

Performed by awardwinning artist Tayo Aluko, Call Mr Robeson features some of his famous speeches and songs, including a dramatic rendition of Ol' Man River.

The show, which won Aluko the Best Male Performer award at the Brighton Festival Fringe 2008, follows Robeson''s life in America.

Haunted by anti-Communist paranoia, he is branded a traitor to his country, harassed, and denied opportunities to perform or travel.

As emotional and mental stress threatens to push him towards madness, he is summoned to appear before the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities and called to give the most challenging performance of his career.

Robeson was the first major concert star to popularise the performance of Negro spirituals, and was also the first black actor of the 20th century to portray Othello on Broadway.

Aluko will be hosting a question and answer session after the show on Thursday, July 23.

For tickets priced pounds 10 (pounds 8 concs), visit the Southport Arts Centre box office on 01704 540011, or visit www.seftonarts.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

Paul Robeson