Lost portrait of black actor and rights campaigner Paul Robeson to go on show
Glyn Philpot’s 1930 painting of actor playing Othello at Savoy one of several portrayals of people of colour in Chichester exhibition
March 2021
The Great British Art Tour
The Great British Art Tour: the remarkable ol' man Robeson
With public art collections closed we are bringing the art to you, exploring highlights from across the country in partnership with Art UK. Today’s pick: Epstein’s Paul Robeson head, in York
October 2019
From the Guardian archive
Paul Robeson shares his experience of the colour bar in London - archive, 1929
23 October 1929: American singer describes how he and his wife were refused entry into the grill-room at the Savoy hotel
August 2019
The week in theatre: The Secret River; La Reprise; 8 Hotels – review
8 Hotels review – Paul Robeson drama lifts curtain on a racist America
January 2019
From the Guardian archive
Paul Robeson, singer, actor and civil rights campaigner, dies at 77 – archive, 1976
24 January 1976 The American singer’s sonorous basso voice, big noble smile and gleeful look were greatly in demand
July 2018
No Way But This by Jeff Sparrow – in search of Paul Robeson
Singer, actor, socialist hero, Paul Robeson made a huge impact on leftists around the world
July 2017
The Guardian Books podcast
Black history: Mumbo Jumbo and Paul Robeson – books podcast
How Paul Robeson found his political voice in the Welsh valleys
March 2017
Bookmark this
Ariel Levy, Krissy Kneen, Cat Marnell – literary highlights for Australia in March
Shadowy cults, Paul Robeson-inspired travelogues, stories of rape and reconciliation, and a Booker prize winner are coming to bookstores this month
February 2017
Paul Robeson's songs and deeds light the way for the fight against Trump
Jeff Sparrow
The great American radical showed how ordinary people mattered more than stars – a lesson today’s celebrities could do with learning
July 2016
Readers recommend
Readers recommend playlist: songs about roots
This week’s playlist takes us through the ages, with songs from Elvis, Grace Jones, Morrissey and Leonard Cohen
August 2015
If black lives really matter in Australia, it's time we owned up to our history
Jeff Sparrow
Australia’s frontier had cruelty to rival the US south. That’s why a racialised insult against Adam Goodes has more power than a comment on Andrew Bolt’s blog
June 2015
Othello: the role that entices and enrages actors of all skin colours
The RSC’s new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy has a black Iago in Lucian Msamati while Hugh Quarshie is battling with the lead role of the wise yet murderous Moor. But is the play even about race?
May 2015
Readers recommend
Readers recommend: songs with deep voices
How low can you go? Contralto to basso profundo, name songs featuring male or female voices with depth, as much in quality and expression, as pitch, says Peter Kimpton
March 2015
'Would audiences walk out?': trailblazing British black and Asian Shakespeare – in pictures
A new exhibition profiles landmark colour-blind and multicultural productions of Shakespeare starring actors including Paul Robeson, Josette Simon and Willard White
December 2014
Family life
Family life: Dad making like a monkey, Ol’ Man River by Paul Robeson and chocolate cherry pudding
Steve McQueen to be honoured at European Film Awards
November 2014
Steve McQueen to make film about Paul Robeson
The Oscar-winning director of 12 Years a Slave reveals that his next project will take as its subject the American civil rights activist, singer and actor
October 2014
Information Age at the Science Museum
Information Age: Paul Robeson, McCarthy and the submarine repeater
In the 1950s, an amazing piece of kit carried the voice of the singer and civil rights activist Paul Robeson loud and clear across the Atlantic to London
