This tragi-comedy, based on the novella by Aphra Behn, was first performed in 1695. Oroonoko, an African prince sold into slavery, falls in love with Imoinda, also of noble birth and enslaved. Oroonoko leads a doomed rebellion, kills his pregnant love to prevent her and their child enduring any more suffering, and is, in turn, killed by the colonialists. Southerne added a comic sub-plot and made Imoinda white. The role of the Royal Slave in this performance was played by Ira Aldridge.