Claflin University News February 25, 2013 Claflin Lyceum Series to Present Award-Winning Production Call Mr. Robeson The Claflin University Lyceum Series will present the acclaimed British production Call Mr. Robeson, a play, which celebrates the life and work of the great singer, actor and civil rights activist Paul Robeson, on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. The production, by Tayo Aluko and Friends, has toured to rave reviews, with the author and performer Aluko's portrayal of Robeson lauded by critics as "dynamic" and "profound." The Guardian, one of Britain's largest news organizations, gave the one-man show four stars and called it "first rate." In February of last year, the production received a rousing standing ovation at New York's famed Carnegie Hall. This award winning show, a journey through Paul Robeson's remarkable life, highlights how his activism led to his downfall after he became the most famous American artist of his time. It features fiery oratory and some of Robeson's most famous songs, including a dramatic rendition of Ol' Man River. Aluko is a native of Nigeria who now lives in Liverpool, England. A baritone, he has sung as soloist in Britain, Germany, Ireland and Nigeria. He has performed lead roles in such operas and musicals as Nabucco, Kiss Me Kate and Anything Goes. Call Mr. Robeson won the Argus Angel Award for Artistic Excellence, the Best Male Performer Award at the 2008 Brighton Festival Fringe and two Merit Awards for Excellence in London in 2010. Call Mr. Robeson has been performed around the world as has Aluko's From Black Africa to the White House. Aluko researched, wrote and narrated a piece on West African history before the slave trade that is a permanent exhibit at Liverpool's International Slavery Museum. He sits on the board of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and Events Company. This Lyceum Series sponsored event will be performed in the William V. Middleton Fine Arts Center on campus. Admission is free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, by phone at (803) 535-5233 or by e-mail at pratliff@claflin.edu<mailto:pratliff@claflin.edu> SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.