I'm Still The Same Paul [Drama On 3]

LENNY HENRY stars as singer and political activist Paul Robeson.

As an outspoken apologist for Stalin and agitator for civil rights Paul Robeson had many enemies, including the CIA.

His passport was taken away, his career curtailed and his health threatened.

An FBI agent re-examines his story.

Paul Robeson - LENNY HENRY

Essie Robeson - ADJOA ANDOH

Michael Vincent - Corey Johnson

Helen Rosen - JOANNA MONRO

Marian - ALIBE PARSONS

Phillips - David Seddon

Secretary of State - Rufus Wright

Frank - ALEX LANIPEKUN

Director CLAIRE GROVE.

ANNIE CAULFIELD's drama about the life of singer and political activist Paul Robeson.

Helen Rosen Joanne Monro

First assigned to the Robeson case in 1949, a fictional retired FBI agent Michael Vincenzi (COREY JOHNSON) re-examines his story, focussing on the dramatic period from 1950-1961.

Robeson travelled all over Europe and America in the 1920's and 1930's, starring in London with Peggy Ashcroft, playing Othello on Broadway, making 11 films (mainly in the UK), and was the world's most famous black performer.In 1950 Paul Robeson has his passport taken away by the US authorities because of his political activities and his career is almost destroyed.

He continues to campaign tirelessly for civil rights in the USA but he cannot work abroad.

He corresponds with personal friends Kenyatta and Nkrumah and appears before the House of Un-American Activities.

He is married to Essie, who is his unofficial manager and he has had a string of very public affairs.

When his passport is finally restored in 1958 Robeson moves to Britain, playing Othello at Stratford and travelling the world giving concerts.

He is back at the top again so his suicide bid in a Moscow hotel room in 1961 seems to come out of the blue.

It is claimed that he was given hallucinogens by the CIA to force a mental breakdown.

Robeson never fully recovers.

Back in America MARTIN LUTHER KING, MALCOLM X and the new civil rights movement fail to acknowledge Robeson's political legacy, and his singing, although still popular, is no longer fashionable.

In 1974 over 3,000 people attend his 75th birthday concert.

Paul Robeson is too ill to go but sends a tape saying I'm still the same Paul dedicated to the worldwide cause of humanity for freedom, peace and brotherhood'.

THE CAST

Paul Robeson..LENNY HENRY has just finished a very successful run in the West End as Othello.

His other straight acting roles include starring alongside Robbie Coltrane in Alive and Kicking.

Playing maverick super-head Ian George in three series of BBC television's Hope and Glory about a comprehensive school, created by Lucy Gannon.

Narrating ROALD DAHL's Matilda for R4 Classic Serial to be braodacsat this Christmas.

Essie Robeson...

ADJOA ANDOH stars with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Invictus the new CLINT EASTWOOD film to be released after Xmas playing NELSON MANDELA's head of security.

For the National Theatre she played Condoleeza Rice in DAVID HARE's Stuff Happens.

Michael Vincent.Corey Johnson films include Out for a Kill, The Contract, The Bourne Ultimatum and Saving Private Ryan.

He also appeared in the award-winning mini series by HBO; Band of Brothers and made his Broadway debut as Nixon's Chief of Staff Jack Brennan in Frost/Nixon.

The rest of the cast are: Helen Rosen.JOANNA MONRO, Marian.ALIBE PARSONS, Phillips.David Seddon, Secretary of State.

Rufus Wright, Frank/Harry Belafonte ALEX LANIPEKUN

THE WRITER

ANNIE CAULFIELD worked with LENNY HENRY on her play After You've Gone about the 1930's double act Leyton & Johnson.

She also worked with him on Like That, a radio play in which Lenny played a soldier returning to his roots in the Midlands.

Annie's most recent work for Radio 3 is Your Only Man , 90' play about Flann O'Brien with Ardal O'Hanlan.

ANNIE CAULFIELD worked with LENNY HENRY on her play After You've Gone about the 1930's double act Leyton and Johnson.

Lenny Henry stars as singer and political activist Paul Robeson. As an outspoken apologist for Stalin and agitator for civil rights Paul Robeson had many enemies, including the CIA. His passport was taken away, his career curtailed and his health threatened. An FBI agent re-examines his story.

LENNY HENRY stars as singer and political activist Paul Robeson. As an outspoken apologist for Stalin and agitator for civil rights Paul Robeson had many enemies, including the CIA. First assigned to the Robeson case in 1949, a fictional retired FBI agent Michael Vincenzi (COREY JOHNSON) re-examines his story, focussing on the dramatic period from 1950-1961.

Robeson travelled all over Europe and America in the 1920's and 1930's, starring in London with Peggy Ashcroft, playing Othello on Broadway, making 11 films (mainly in the UK), and was the world's most famous black performer.In 1950 Paul Robeson has his passport taken away by the US authorities because of his political activities and his career is almost destroyed. He continues to campaign tirelessly for civil rights in the USA but he cannot work abroad. He corresponds with personal friends Kenyatta and Nkrumah and appears before the House of Un-American Activities. He is married to Essie, who is his unofficial manager and he has had a string of very public affairs. When his passport is finally restored in 1958 Robeson moves to Britain, playing Othello at Stratford and travelling the world giving concerts. He is back at the top again so his suicide bid in a Moscow hotel room in 1961 seems to come out of the blue. It is claimed that he was given hallucinogens by the CIA to force a mental breakdown. Robeson never fully recovers. Back in America Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the new civil rights movement fail to acknowledge Robeson's political legacy, and his singing, although still popular, is no longer fashionable. In 1974 over 3,000 people attend his 75th birthday concert. Paul Robeson is too ill to go but sends a tape saying 'I'm still the same Paul dedicated to the worldwide cause of humanity for freedom, peace and brotherhood'.

Paul Robeson..Lenny Henry has just finished a very successful run in the West End as Othello. His other straight acting roles include starring alongside Robbie Coltrane in Alive and Kicking. Playing maverick super-head Ian George in three series of BBC television's Hope and Glory about a comprehensive school, created by Lucy Gannon. Narrating Roald Dahl's Matilda for R4 Classic Serial to be braodacsat this Christmas.

Essie Robeson... Adjoa Andoh stars with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Invictus the new Clint Eastwood film to be released after Xmas playing Nelson Mandela's head of security. For the National Theatre she played Condoleeza Rice in David Hare's Stuff Happens.

Michael Vincent.Corey Johnson films include Out for a Kill, The Contract, The Bourne Ultimatum and Saving Private Ryan. He also appeared in the award-winning mini series by HBO; Band of Brothers and made his Broadway debut as Nixon's Chief of Staff Jack Brennan in Frost/Nixon.

The rest of the cast are: Helen Rosen.Joanna Monro, Marian.Alibe Parsons, Phillips.David Seddon, Secretary of State. Rufus Wright, Frank/Harry Belafonte Alex Lanipekun

Annie Caulfield worked with Lenny Henry on her play After You've Gone about the 1930's double act Leyton & Johnson. She also worked with him on Like That, a radio play in which Lenny played a soldier returning to his roots in the Midlands. Annie's most recent work for Radio 3 is Your Only Man , 90' play about Flann O'Brien with Ardal O'Hanlan.

Paul Robeson....Lenny Henry

Essie Robeson....Adjoa Andoh

Michael Vincent....Corey Johnson

Helen Rosen....Joanna Monro

Marian....Alibe Parsons

Phillips....David Seddon

Secretary of State....Rufus Wright

Frank....Alex Lanipekun