Paul Robeson Tribute Film Launched as Museum Portrait Loan Extended
To mark 60 years since Paul Robeson visited and performed in Reading, a special film of a performance by Reading Community Gospel Choir of Robeson’s hit song ‘Going Home’ will be released on Reading Culture Live and YouTube.
London's National Portrait Gallery has extended its loan of a portrait of Paul Robeson to Reading Museum until 30th January 2021 as part of their COMING HOME project.
READING Museum is delighted to announce the premiere of ‘Reading Community Choir sings Paul Robeson’ - a video tribute to the Black Civil Rights pioneer 60 years after his visit to Reading.
In October this year, as part of Black History Month 2020, Reading Museum in a partnership with London’s National Portrait Gallery announced the temporary display of a portrait of the black civil rights pioneer, actor, and musical virtuoso, Paul Robeson.
This high-profile display was unveiled by Reading Mayor Cllr David Stevens, as part of the major COMING HOME project developed by the National Portrait Gallery. It sees portraits of iconic individuals from the national collection travelling to places associated with their subjects.
This year has marked 60 years since Paul Robeson sang to a large and enthralled audience at Reading Concert Hall; a legendary event in Reading’s history of embracing cultural diversity, arranged by the Reading and District Association for Peace.
Shortly after the portrait was unveiled, a unique performance by Reading Community Gospel Choir of Robeson’s hit song ‘Going Home’ was filmed in the Town Hall. Steve McCauley, one of Reading’s leading black actors also features in this tribute film, giving recitals of quotes from some of Robeson’s most celebrated speeches.
The film is produced and directed by Through a Different Lens, an exciting new creative agency dedicated to increasing cultural opportunities for communities in Berkshire.
The film is set to be released on Reading Culture Live and Reading Museum’s YouTube channel at 1 pm on Friday 11th December:
Other good news this month includes the extension of the Paul Robeson exhibition. Following the museum’s temporary closure during the second lockdown, the National Portrait Gallery has agreed to extend the loan of the Paul Robeson portrait. It will now be displayed in the Museum’s Story of Reading Gallery until Saturday 30th January 2021.
Visits can be booked at:
www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/book-your-visit-now
The display is also available virtually on the museum’s website.
Jocelyn Chandler, Through a Different Lens Creative Director, said:
“We are thrilled to share our film of these very special performances by the Reading Community Gospel Choir and theatrical artist, Steve McCauley. Paul Robeson is an inspirational figure in our community, a father figure who spoke out fearlessly in pursuit of equality for black people. These very moving performances by fantastically talented Reading people are a fitting tribute 60 years after Robeson’s famous appearance in the Concert Hall.”
Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “I can promise this filmed performance is an absolute treat for admirers of Paul Robeson’s music and speeches. I applaud those involved in creating this production paying tribute to such an enormously influential figure in global history.
“I’m also absolutely delighted that the display of Paul Robeson’s portrait at Reading Museum has kindly been extended by the National Portrait Gallery so more people can appreciate the portrait in situ.
“It is amazing to discover through the Museum display that Mr Robeson once performed here in Reading. I highly recommend tuning in to the film when it is released on the Reading Culture Live website, www.readingculturelive.co.uk, our new go-to ‘virtual venue’ where you can always find the very best of Reading’s cultural offerings”.
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery said:
“We are very pleased to extend the loan of Paul Robeson’s portrait to Reading Museum as part of our COMING HOME initiative. We are delighted to see Reading’s Community Gospel Choir taking inspiration from the portrait and look forward to seeing the film when it goes live on Friday 11th December.”
The National Portrait Gallery has been collecting portraits of men and women who have made a significant contribution to British life and history since 1856.
For full details of the National Portrait Gallery’s ‘COMING HOME’ project: www.npg.org.uk/coming-home
Join the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #portraitscominghome
ENDS
Notes to editors
NOTES
The high-profile display of Paul Robeson has been part of the major COMING HOME project, developed by London’s National Portrait Gallery. It sees portraits of iconic individuals from the national collection travelling to places associated with their subjects. For full details of the National Portrait Gallery’s ‘COMING HOME’ project visit www.npg.org.uk/coming-home
COMING HOME has been made possible by the National Portrait Gallery, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, generous contributions from The Thompson Family Charitable Trust and funds raised at the Gallery’s Portrait Gala in 2017.
Social Media tag-in & hashtags
#portraitscominghome
@npglondon – National Portrait gallery
@RComGos – Reading Community Gospel Choir
@TADLFilmMKting – Through a different Lens