Testament to Rose

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BBC Radio 4 - Testament to Rose

Testament is on the trail of an elusive Robert Rose, a mixed-race poet in Manchester.

Testament is on the trail of an elusive Robert Rose, a mixed-race poet who settled in Manchester - 200 years ago. He finds poems and tantalizing clues of a life lived for poetry.

When beatboxer and poet Testament discovers a mixed-race poet once lived and prospered 200 years ago in his hometown of Manchester, he’s captivated. He sets off to talk to historians, a librarian and even a descendant of one of Robert Rose’s friends to find out what he can about The Bard of Colour – Rose’s self-given title. In Britain’s oldest public library, Chetham’s Library, Testament handles one of Rose’s notebooks, marvelling at his beautiful handwriting. 

What was the half-Guyanese Robert Rose doing here, in Victorian Manchester, on a generous private income, wining and dining with people of influence? Educated at public school, who were his patrons? Who were his parents? Why is he obscured from history? And is his poetry any good? A resounding "Yes!" from poet, novelist and fellow Guyanese David Dabydean who, like Testament, is excited to discover the work of Robert Rose. 

A radical unafraid to speak up against slavery, a man with a vivid social life and many good friends, Rose was nevertheless far from home. Paterson Joseph brings Rose’s lyrical verse to life, some of it full of longing: "A wanderer here, O! Who for me would mourn/If the vast sea of life should o'er me close?" 

Presented by Testament
Contributors: David Dabydeen, Lucy Evans, David Altson, Fergus Wilde, Michael Kelly, Jeanne Carmont 
Voice of Robert Rose: Paterson Joseph 
Research by Glynis Greenman
Additional recording: Ed Heaton
Produced by Nija Dalal-Small
Executive Producer: Mel Harris
Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore
A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

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