This October, RHUL archives seeks to highlight special items within our archive to celebrate Black History Month. The Roy Waters Theatre Collection is one our Special Collections and consists of ephemera and memorabilia relating to British theatre dating back to the 18th century.
Roy Waters amassed a significant collection of playbills, autographed letters, photos, programmes, and other materials connected to theatre. One item within the collection includes a letter written by Ira Aldridge, the ‘African Tragedian’.
Aldridge was born in New York in 1807, and went on to become one of the most celebrated Shakespearean actors in history. As a black performer Aldridge faced discrimination in America, and so travelled to Liverpool in 1824 and made his London stage debut at the Royal Coburg Theatre (now the Old Vic) in 1825. The Industrial revolution had prompted huge economic change which expanded the development of theatres. This, alongside the growing movement towards the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, opened prospects for black theatre performers.
Aldridge was the first black man to play Othello and gained critical acclaim for performances in Shakespeare classics - he became known as the ‘African Roscius’ after the famous roman actor of the first century. Aldridge would eventually become the manager of the Coventry Theatre Royal, a role in which he used his position to make impassioned speeches on the evils of slavery.
Aldridge died suddenly in 1867 in Poland, while on one of his many successful tours of Europe. In African American circles, Aldridge was a legendary figure. Many black actors and playwrights viewed Aldridge as an inspiration, having carved a successful career on the stage across the UK and Europe, and raised awareness of important topics including slavery. When his death was revealed, several amateur groups sought to honour his memory by adopting his name for their companies.
The undated letter in the Roy Waters Theatre collection is signed by 'Ira F. Aldridge, African Tragedian', and states that Aldridge would be leaving for Manchester in a few days and requests to call at the theatre for an interview with Mr Bunn, who is noted as visiting from the continent. Here is the full transcript:
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22 Judd Place (West)
New Road
Sir,
Being obliged to leave London professionally I had not the pleasure of seeing Mr Bunn on his arrival from the continent. I have to leave town in a few days for Manchester to fulfil an engagement there, and if through your courteousness I could be favoured with an interview I will call at the theatre tomorrow morning between eleven and twelve.
I have the honour to be your obliged servant.
Ira Aldridge, African Tragedian
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Alfred Bunn was a theatrical manager of the 19th Century, operation as stage manager at Drury Lane, Theatre Royal among other locations.
Reference: RW/2/1/1/8
If you are interested in viewing the letter, or exploring more of our fascinating archives, special collections and rare books, then visit www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/the-library/our-archives
Anne-Marie Purcell, October 2024
