Just an Ordinary Lawyer

Tunji Sowande arrived in London from Nigeria in 1945 to study law and pursue his interest in music. He rose to become a well respected barrister, the first Black Head of Chambers, and finally the first (part-time) Black Judge in Britain.

He was an active solo concert performer as a baritone singer, giving concerts for charities and to entertain residents of old people’s homes. On top of it all, he was a great lover of sports, particularly cricket, proudly becoming a member of the exclusive Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), known as “the home of cricket”.

Sowande muses on Imperialism, Colonialism and Black people’s struggles for freedom, justice and human rights, in Africa and the diaspora, from the point of view of one who would rather just be a good lawyer, watch sports, and spread love and peace through the medium of song.

“A fascinating play … packs in so much.” -- (4 stars) The Guardian

Nigerian-born Tayo Aluko is an actor, singer and playwright, based in Liverpool, UK, where he worked previously as an architect.His multi-award-winning play, CALL MR. ROBESON has been performed as far North as within the Arctic Circle and as far South as New Zealand, with a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in February 2012.A radio play about Robeson, PAUL ROBESON’S LOVE SONG, was premiered on Robeson’s birthday, April 9, 2021, and is now streaming online.His second full-length play, JUST AN ORDINARY LAWYER was premiered in August 2016 and has already been performed in five countries.He premiered his third stage play, COLERIDGE-TAYLOR OF FREETOWN, in May 2024. It is inspired by the life and music of the Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and his African (Sierra Leonean) ancestry.His art is dedicated to encouraging and inspiring progressive activism by showing how Black History is everybody’s history.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.