Pearl Prescod facts for kids

Pearl Priscilla Prescod (born May 28, 1920 – died June 25, 1966) was an actress and singer from Tobago, a beautiful island in Trinidad and Tobago. She was one of the first Caribbean performers to appear on British television. She was also the first Black woman to join London's famous National Theatre Company.

Pearl moved to Britain in the early 1950s and lived in Notting Hill, London. While there, she acted in many TV shows and plays. She also worked hard to fight against racism in London during the late 1950s and early 1960s. With her good friend, journalist and activist Claudia Jones, Pearl helped organize London's first "Caribbean Carnival." This event happened in St Pancras Town Hall in January 1959. Many people see it as an early version of the well-known Notting Hill Carnival.

Pearl's Acting and Singing Career

Pearl Prescod was a talented classical singer. She dreamed of studying classical music in England. She came to Britain in the early 1950s after winning a special music scholarship. This scholarship allowed her to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

In 1954, Pearl got a part in Barry Reckord's first play, Flesh to a Tiger. Other famous actors like Cleo Laine and Nadia Cattouse were also in the play.

In 1955, Pearl got a job as a switchboard operator. She also had an audition at the BBC, a big British TV and radio company. She did very well and got many contracts with the BBC. This led to many roles in TV shows and plays over the years.

Pearl was also part of a singing group called The New World Singers. She was the main soprano singer in the choir. The group included other talented singers from the Caribbean. A conductor named Avril Coleridge-Taylor formed the choir after hearing them sing.

In 1959, a play called Under The Sun by Sylvia Wynter was shown again on the BBC. Pearl had a role in this play, along with Nadia Cattouse and Andrew Salkey.

During her time on stage, Pearl was a member of London's National Theatre Company. This group was based at the Old Vic theatre. In 1965, she played the role of Tituba in a play called The Crucible. Her performance was highly praised by many.

Fighting for Fairness: Pearl's Activism

Pearl Prescod was recognized for her important work in fighting for racial equality in Britain. She worked closely with Claudia Jones. Pearl helped organize a big event in London on August 31, 1963. This event showed support for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom happening in the United States.

Pearl was one of the Black artists in England who helped Claudia Jones raise money. They organized and performed at concerts to support the West Indian Gazette newspaper. When Claudia Jones passed away in 1964, Pearl sang "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing" at her funeral. This showed her deep respect and friendship.

Pearl's Passing

Pearl Prescod died on June 25, 1966, in Kensington, London. She passed away from a brain hemorrhage. She was survived by her son, Colin Prescod. Colin is a sociologist and helps manage the Friends of the Huntley Archives at LMA.

Pearl's Lasting Impact

Pearl Prescod's life is featured in a chapter of a book called Black Candle at Christmas. This chapter was written by Obi B. Egbuna, a Nigerian writer and activist.

In 2022, the Institute of Race Relations created a special text about Pearl's life. It's called Pearl Prescod: A Black Life Lived Large. A review of this text in The Guardian newspaper said it helps "shine a light on the overlooked stories of this generation of Caribbean artists and intellectuals." It also mentioned that there is "so much to unearth in the case of Prescod's short but glittering life and work."

Anya Edmond-Pettitt, who worked on the project, noted that Pearl's story might have been forgotten because it's different. It doesn't fit the common story about the "Windrush generation" who came to Britain. She explained that while the Windrush story is true and important, it's not the only one. Many people came from the Caribbean and became artists and thinkers, not just bus drivers or nurses.

Pearl's son, Colin Prescod, believes his mother's story is part of a bigger picture. It's about all the talented artists and thinkers who came from the Caribbean to Britain. He called the text an "archival teaser," meaning there are many more stories like hers that need to be shared. He mentioned other important figures like Nadia Cattouse and Earl Cameron. Colin said that these stories are part of the "stir caused by 'the West Indian generation'." This generation came from anti-colonial movements to challenge racism and British imperialism.

Film and TV Roles

See Also

• Amy Ashwood Garvey
• Cy Grant
• Edric Connor
• Pearl Connor-Mogotsi