LEAVING WEST END STAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19453, 12 October 1937, Page 5

LEAVING WEST END STAGE

FAMOUS NEGRO SINGER WORKING CLASS PLAYS (Elec. Tel Copyright —United Press Assn.) LONDON, Oct. 11. Paul Robeson, the American negro singer and actor, has decided to leave the West End stage.

He has announced his intention of devoting his life to plays dealing with working class problems. Born in America 39 years ago, Paul Robeson studied law and took his degree at Columbia University. But he had an excellent voice and he was given his first chance to display it when he was given a part in “Simon the Cyrenian” in New York in 1921. His first appearance in England was in the following year, when he played in “The Voodoo,” which starred Mrs. Patrick Campbell. Two years later he caused a sensation in London when he appeared in the leading parts in Eugene O’Neill’s plays, “All God’s Chillun Got Wings,” and “Emperor Jones.” His singing of “Ole Man River” in the London production of “Show Boat" in 1928 established him as a vocalist, however, and he has since made hundreds of records and achieved world-wide fame in film work. His favourite recreations are tennis, bridge and jazz music.