Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown
Theatre (solo show, political)
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Venue 40C ARTS | C venues | C alto - studio
- 10:30
- Aug 24
- 1 hour 10 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Tayo Aluko & Friends (Nigeria/UK)
- Warnings and additional info: Contains violent themes, Strong language/swearing
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
A 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 Fourah Bay College in Freetown, the civil war that’s 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 the while wondering if he dares risk trying to save the female student captured by the fearsome rebels. Beautiful music underlies the sometimes-harrowing history of an African country and the horrors of war. Post-performance Q&A.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Enter building from Victoria Terrace using permanent ramp. Take stairs or lift up two levels to first floor. There is level access to space. Accessible toilets at rear of on ground floor foyer.
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Building Lift
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Kristina P. 3 days ago
This is a very powerful and deeply emotional play by Tayo Aluko. It has several intertwined story lines, and the scenes shift from the local context of the war in Sierra Leone to personal stories of renowned diplomat George Coleridge-Taylor to global Black histories. It covers very challenging themes, such as war and sexual violence, and unpacks them in a compelling way. Despite tackling difficult topics head-on, the story is not without relatable humorous and light-hearted moments. The shifts between dramatic scenes, cheerful narrations, and beautiful songs take the audience on a journey with Coleridge-Taylor through his dramatic experiences, reminiscences, dreams, and thoughts. Tayo Aluko's superb acting is very engaging and keeps the audience captivated throughout the play. I highly recommend this play to anyone interested in African history and exploration of challenging topics and experiences through art.
sally medlyn 9 days ago
This is a powerful, moving and thrilling telling of histories which may be unfamiliar to many of us. Tayo Aluko has written and presents a remarkable array of characters, shape shifting before your eyes from one character, gender, time and place to another. The music was splendid and the singing strong. The story is sometimes shocking in its portrayal of war and sexual violence, yet is frequently moving and always entertaining, as Tayo paints vivid pictures of joy and suffering with his words and song. Whilst a gripping dramatic story in itself the show also offers many opportunities for conversation, research and the discovery of histories new to many of us which still affect our everyday lives today.
Farah Adam 15 days ago
Emotional and inspiring performance. Highly recommend this show.
Geoff Stevens 22 days ago
Bringing us a history too rarely told, Aluko and Wong enact a complex performance that moves between three continents and many characters, examining issues of power and responsibility in personal and political scopes. Passages of tranquil, piano-accompanied vocal music gave me time to reflect on the events portrayed, which showed us the worst and best of humanity. Aluko's performance is convincing, using minimal props to great effect. Do not expect to exit this show unchallenged or unchanged.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
There are no professional reviews for this show.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.