Just An Ordinary Lawyer. An interview with Tayo Aluko. Coming February 2, 2017 in Victoria BC.
Victoria audiences may remember Tayo Aluko for his previous performances here of Call Mr Robeson. A Life, With Songs in 2013 and again in 2015. He returns February 2nd, presented by Intrepid Theatre in collaboration with the BC Black History Awareness Society with his latest piece Just An Ordinary Lawyer, about the life of Britain’s first black judge, Tunji Sowande.
Mr. Aluko was kind enough to answer questions for me.
On a personal level, can you speak to why you took the plunge and made the transition from architecture and property development to a life in theatre in 2009?
My business was suffering as a result of a number of things: the oncoming recession, the fact that I was trying to do things that the industry, my adoptive city and the financial institutions seemed not to be quite ready for: to develop green buildings for social and community use. Not only did I not get support, I was actually sabotaged most unexpectedly on one occasion. Whilst all this was going on, my play, Call Mr. Robeson was beginning to show signs of promise, and when I performed it in front of my aged father in Lagos, Nigeria, and he finally got to understand this strange son of his, he gave me his blessing to continue along this track, and I decided to finally take the plunge shortly afterwards.
Had you been involved in amateur theatrics before your decision? And, where/how did you do your voice training?
Yes, for many years. I had fantasised about becoming professional, but was sure that I would not enjoy it. Call Mr. Robeson, being my own creation, and of a story that I passionately believe in and am determined to share, belied that fear, and I have enjoyed every single one of the hundreds of performances I have done.
My voice training was received through private lessons from a teacher that I would travel about a hundred miles to every fortnight. This happened regularly for about five years, although they are very much more infrequent now. Gladly, I am performing so much now that my voice seems to remain in good shape through regular use.
What drew you to the story of Tunji Sowande, Britain’s first Black judge? Tell us a little about the creation process of this work, the amount of research you needed to do. Was Sowande really a singer or is this a “conceit” you added due to your musical training?
His nephew is a friend of mine in Liverpool, and he had told me of this uncle he had who sang. When he died, I inherited his sheet music. He was also a passionate cricket lover, which was another attraction because I had also played cricket myself, and in the same school in Lagos where Mr. Sowande went. His life story is interesting, but given the fact that I had been telling the incredibly dramatic story of Paul Robeson for many years, Sowande’s paled into insignificance in comparison. This was compounded by the fact that from what I could gather from the people I interviewed – family members and people who worked under him, he is supposed not to have to been a political person. I knew I wanted to tell stories about African history and politics, and in my research into his love of cricket, I came across the story of the South-African-born Basil D’Oliveira, a cricket genius who had been prevented from playing at high level in his country, and who was prevented from playing for England against South Africa in 1969. This episode eventually led to the international sporting boycott of South Africa, and this gave me the idea of placing Sowande as an observer of that an other politically significant sporting moments of the period, and of seminal political moments of his time. The songs I have chosen to sing as part of the play help tell the story and entertain at the same time.
Just an Ordinary Lawyer was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe this past summer, has it been performed anywhere else? Will you be touring it?
Yes, it was performed for a week at the Liverpool Playhouse, where I had actually received a lot of help in developing it, and in Bolton. I will be coming to Victoria almost immediately after having done a 3-week run in a fringe venue in London too, and assuming it is well received and reviewed there, I plan to tour it extensively around the UK and internationally. Cricket notwithstanding, it is a global story, so I hope and expect I’ll be back in British Columbia with it again in the future.
Call Mr Robeson. A Life, With Songs–your previous play–has received acclaim everywhere it has been performed, as well as awards. What about Just an Ordinary Lawyer?
The reviews so far have been very positive, so I hope it becomes as successful as Call Mr. Robeson.
Who will your show appeal to?
The same kind of audiences as warmed to Call Mr. Robeson: people who like music, who are interested in politics and in history. North American history is touched on in several parts of the play, and in a way that reminds us of the troublesome history of White conquest, but also the determined resistance and struggles of First Nations people. Of course, it would also appeal to lawyers and sports fans too – so, quite a wide range.
What would you say to entice a potential audience member to come?
Come and enjoy an evening of music and powerful theatre which is educational, inspiring and thought-provoking all at once.
What do you hope to inspire in your audience?
An appreciation of history, of the fact that many of the things we enjoy today were won by the blood and sweat of others, and that we also have a duty to do our bit for future generations, however modest our own contribution. Also, by introducing names of people that will be new to most audience members, I hope they will be inspired to find out about similar people from their own backgrounds, and maybe tell those stories in their own way too.
I sadly missed your previous play Call Mr Robeson. A Life, With Songs. Are you planning to bring it back to Victoria?
I hope so, but don’t have a date yet. I will of course be in Maple Ridge with it on February 4th.
Just An Ordinary Lawyer by Tayo Aluko
February 2nd
Metro Theatre (corner of Quadra and Johnson)
Tickets $25 through Ticket Rocket or at the door
Nigerian Tunji Sowande quietly breaks through multiple barriers to become Britain’s first Black judge in 1978. Also a fine concert singer and keen cricket lover, he muses on international politics and history as they affect the Black world from Africa to the USA and Britain, from the point of view of one who would rather watch sports, and spread love and peace through the medium of song.
Recalling heroic sporting achievements alongside epoch-defining political events, Tayo Aluko follows the multi-award-winning Call Mr. Robeson with another “brilliantly put together history lesson delivered as art” (DirtAndCandy.com).
“Another triumph… that thrills and touches” (5 Stars) – British Theatre Guide
“Prepare to be bowled over” (4 stars) – Wirral Globe
Presented in partnership with the BC Black History Awareness Society.
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