Deep Are the Roots celebrates the pioneers of Black British theatre, beginning in 1825, when Ira Aldridge made history as the first Black actor to play Shakespeare's Othello in the United Kingdom, and ending in 1975 with the success of Britain's first Black-led theatre company. In addition to providing a long-overdue critique of Laurence Olivier's Othello, Bourne has unearthed the forgotten story of Paul Molyneaux, a Shakespearean actor of the Victorian era. The twentieth-century trailblazers include Paul Robeson, Florence Mills, Elisabeth Welch, Edric Connor and Pearl Connor-Mogotsi. There are chapters about the groundbreaking work of playwrights at the Royal Court, the first Black drama school students, pioneering theatre companies and three influential dramatists of the 1970s: Mustapha Matura, Michael Abbensetts and Alfred Fagon. Drawing on interviews with leading lights, here is everything you need to know about the trailblazers of Black theatre in Britain and their profound influence on the culture of today.

About the Author
Stephen Bourne is the author of several books on the subject of Black history including Black Poppies and Under Fire. He is a graduate of the London College of Printing and received a MPhil from De Montfort University. He is also an honorary fellow of London South Bank University.

Reviews

Stephen Bourne is a hero of our history. He has published countless books, always accessible to all, on the hidden stories of our presence on these shores. Let's honour Stephen for quietly shining a light on our history

-- Booker Prize-winner Bernardine Evaristo

Stephen Bourne is a tireless chronicler of the Black British history of the last century or so. I love Stephen's books because he gives voice to real people - Black soldiers, sailors, musicians, campaigners, doctors, nurses, broadcasters and so many more

-- Jhalak Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence


Awards
Short-listed for The STR Theatre Book Prize 2022 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9780750996297
Author Stephen Bourne
Format Hardback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd