美國人物志:黑人歌王 保羅·羅伯遜 (2/6)

Robeson became a professional actor. He joined the Provincetown Players, an acting group linked to American playwright Eugene O'Neill. Robeson was the star in two famous productions by Eugene O'Neill in the 1920s. They were "All God's Chillun Got Wings" and "The Emperor Jones". Critics praised his performances. Robeson became the most recognized black actor of his time. In London, he earned international praise for his leading part in William Shakespeare's great tragic play, "Othello". That was in 1930. Thirteen years later, he played "Othello" on Broadway in New York. It was very popular. In "Othello," Robeson played an African general in ancient Venice. He is married to a young white woman. Othello kills his wife after being tricked into believing that she loves someone else. This is how Paul Robeson sounded in "Othello." Paul Robeson also was famous for appearing in the popular American musical play "Show Boat". He performed the play in London in 1928 and on Broadway four years later. He played a riverboat worker. Jerome Kern wrote the music for "Show Boat." Paul Robeson sang the song "Ol' Man River".