PAUL Robeson was a legendary black activist, actor, singer and civil rights campaigner, and his remarkable story will be told at Rous Lench village hall.

One man show and a pianist will bring to life the achievements of a Hollywood and showbiz great whose outspoken views eventually caused serious damage to his life and career.

A spokesman said: "The show, 'Call Mr. Robeson' has been touring nationally and internationally since 2008 to great acclaim, resurrecting a great entertainer and his songs, and revealing many surprising things about his public, private and political life.

"It shows that he was at once an extraordinarily gifted and courageous genius, and a man with many failings and foibles."

The spokesman added: "Paul Robeson was a world-famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner. When over the years he got progressively too radical and outspoken for the establishment's liking, he was branded a traitor to his country, harassed, and denied opportunities to perform or travel.

"Just as physical, emotional and mental stress threatened to push him over the fine line between genius and madness, he was summoned to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee."

Even then Robeson was not cowed.

He said: "They say I'm meddling in the foreign affairs of the United States Government. Now, that's too bad, 'cause I'm going to have to continue to meddle."

His later life turned tragic and he died in near obscurity, but his pioneering and heroic political activism has led many to describe him as the forerunner of the civil rights movement.

The show comes to the hall on Saturday, April 1.

Tickets and further details on, 01386 793590 or 07946 499382.