Black Performances on the Dundee Stage c.1840s-1940s

Wednesday 15th October, 6.30 - 7.30pm.

This is a free event run by Lifelong Learning Dundee in association with the Woven Together Dundee project as part of BHM Scotland.

From Ira Aldridge to Paul Robeson, many celebrated black performers appeared in Dundee’s theatres, concert halls and dance halls over the years. This illustrated talk will focus on the peak years of theatre-going in Dundee, when audiences could choose from a wide variety of dramatic and musical stage performances, as well as (in the mid-late 19th century) public lectures from formerly enslaved individuals who had become renowned anti-slavery campaigners. We will meet extraordinary stars of the past such as Juba, the dance sensation now credited as one of the pioneers of tap dancing; or the pianist Blind Tom, who could play two tunes at the same time with different hands while singing a third. Dundee also hosted spectacular touring productions of shows with prominent black characters like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and all-black revues such as Coloured Society.

Matthew Jarron is Curator of the University of Dundee Museums and has taught evening classes in film history for the past 20 years. His recent courses for Lifelong Learning Dundee include British TV Plays of the 1950s, Film Europe and Forgotten British Directors of the 1930s.

His in-person film courses in session 2025/26 are to be held on the topics of:

• Czech New Wave and before
• From Germany to Hollywood – Lubitsch, Lang & Sirk
• Ealing Studios

Check the Lifelong Learning Dundee website for details.

Course code : 09 102

Enquiries should be sent to: bGlmZWxvbmdsZWFybmluZ2R1bmRlZSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t

As a volunteer organisation with limited resources, we try to respond to all queries as quickly as possible. Please bear with us.

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