What Happens? A Tribute To Langston Hughes

Cookies on our website

Liverpool Philharmonic has updated its cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites. Such third party cookies may track your use on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.

Continue Change settings Privacy Policy

Join Our Mailing List

Be the first to know about concerts at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and receive exclusive email offers on music you love!

Home
Whats On
Contemporary Music
What Happens? A Tribute To Langston Hughes

Archived

Useful information

In this section

What Happens? A Tribute To Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes (1902 – 1967) was an African-American poet, journalist, playwright, novelist and librettist, and a significant figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His writings dealt with social issues of the time which have an uncanny resonance with today, both in America and around the world.

‘What Happens to a Dream Deferred?’ is the opening line to one of Hughes’ and America’s most famous poems Harlem, written in 1951. The poem goes on to ask, ‘Does it dry up/ like a raisin in the sun?’, this third line inspired the title of a famous stage play and movie, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, which dealt with American racism and history as played out in the lives of a Black family trying to purchase a house in an all-White part of Chicago in the 1960s.

The poem also inspired this show by Nigerian-born actor and singer Tayo Aluko who will be accompanied by a three-piece jazz band in dramatic performances of selections of Hughes' poetry and prose, as well as instrumental music and songs and from the era.

10% administrative fee applies for online & telephone orders.
A £2.50 postage fee is applicable on all orders if opting for postal delivery.
More information about booking fees