Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown

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.

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.

Emotional and inspiring performance. Highly recommend this show.

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.