The UK’s first black Shakespearean actor is to be honoured with the unveiling of a blue plaque in Coventry.

Ira Aldridge was given the job of manager at Coventry Theatre after impressing the people of the city with his acting during a tour in 1828.

The impression he made during his time there is credited with inspiring Coventry’s petition to Parliament for the abolition of slavery.

His life, 150 years after his death, is described as “unbelievable but true”.  More