The Tragedian

Ira Aldridge: a trailblazer, a pioneer, a man ahead of his time.

Born in 1807, he became the most ‘visible black man in Europe in the middle of the nineteenth century’ (Bernth Lindfors).

But who really knew the man behind the public image, of his personal struggle, and his fight to promote the case for racial equality?

Born into humble beginnings Ira fought his way through changing fortunes and the hostility and open racism of the London press, to become one of the most celebrated actors of his age.

This production paints an intimate portrait of a passionate and intelligent man of ideas, who fought all his life for his art and for humanity.

You are taken on a rollercoaster journey as you get to know Ira, a unique individual whose voice speaks as truly to us today, as it did to audiences of his time.

With an original live guitar score and compelling performance by Glen Wilson, The Tragedian is the definitive one-man show on the inspirational individual that was Ira Aldridge.