ACTOR Paterson Joseph takes to the stage at Oxford’s Playhouse to launch an international tour of his one-man play, Sancho: An Act of Remembrance.

The play was conceived, written and is performed by Paterson and is a tribute to the extraordinary life of British slave Charles Ignatius Sancho.

Paterson first staged this play at Oxford’s Burton Taylor Studio, but returns to the city by bringing it to the Playhouse stage before setting off on a US tour.

It opens on Thursday, September 17, and runs for three nights, until September 19.

Sancho: An Act of Remembrance is set in the 18th century, when the British slave trade was at its peak. It tells the true story of Charles Sancho, who was born on a slave ship in 1729.

Charles’s life, however, is full of twists and turns. He was an African man who “dared” to act, sing, write and voice his political opinions. Charles went on to become the first black man to vote in a parliamentary election.

Paterson Joseph has an impressive stage, film and television career to his name. He was in the film The Beach, and has appeared on television in lead roles in Safe House, Peep Show, and The Beach director Danny Boyle’s police drama, Babylon. On stage he has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Sancho is co-directed by Simon Godwin, with music by Ben Park. Tickets are from £11.50, on 01865 305305 or at oxfordplayhouse.com