to take on at this time in history. However, he also proved himself through taking on roles that carried anti-slavery sentiments, and consisted of portraying various roles that captured the struggles of slaves in what would then be called The New World. It was not until he reached mid-life, aged approximately 40, that Aldridge was able to perform other Shakespearean roles such as Macbeth or Richard III, breaking free of his role as Othello. The launch of the roles are recorded to have taken place in Hull, a town that his biographers say is a place where "...one could take risks that might not have been so well-received elsewhere." Shows References 19th-century theatre 1820s establishments in New York (state) African-American theatre Arts organizations established in the 1820s Defunct Theatre companies in New York City