Titus Andronicus:Ira Aldridge (1807-67) as Aaron the Moor (IV.ii).

One of the most successful adaptations of Titus in Britain premiered in 1850, written by Ira Aldridge and C.A. Somerset. Aaron was rewritten to make him the hero of the piece (played by Aldridge), the rape and mutilation of Lavinia were removed, Tamora (Queen of Scythia) became chaste and honourable, with Aaron as her friend only, and Chiron and Demetrius act only out of love for their mother. Ira Aldridge was the first black American theatre star. Aldridge attended the Afro-American Free School in New York City, near the old Park Theater, with a gallery for blacks, where Edmund Kean performed Richard III, Othello, Hamlet, Lear and Shylock. In 1820 Aldridge went to England and worked at LondonÂ’s Coburg Theatre. By 1827 he was known as "The Celebrated Mr. Keene, the African Roscius." When Edmund Kean retired in 1833, Aldridge replaced him in Othello. He had a commanding presence, but was considered too brutal when he dragged Desdemona around by her hair before murdering her. While popular in the provinces he was abused in London. He became a touring star, traveling throughout Europe. One critic said: "After this Othello, it would be an anti-climax to have seen an ordinary Othello again." Jenny Lind said he was the greatest of all Othellos. His Russian tours had a profound influence on Russian actors. He never returned to the USA and died in Poland.