- Slave Play hosts black-only events
- Downing Street criticizes plans
- Organisers reconsidering event format
During its Broadway run in New York, Slave Play, written by American actor and playwright Jeremy O. Harris and starring Kit Harington, hosted similar events.
Following criticism from Downing Street, the producers of the West End production are “carefully considering” plans to host evenings exclusively for black audiences.
Slave Play, featuring Game of Thrones star Kit Harington among its cast, will be performed at the Noel Coward Theatre in London from 29 June to 21 September.
Two performances aimed at an “all-black-identifying audience” “free from the white gaze” are scheduled.
Organisers referred to the “black out” evenings in New York City during the 2019 Broadway run as “private, invitation-only events.”
The West End transfer was announced earlier this week, with the dates for the “Black Out” events set as 17 July and 17 September.
However, when questioned on Thursday about the plans, the official spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “Restricting audiences on the basis of race would be wrong and divisive.”
Organisers, however, stated they would not “prevent or exclude anyone” from attending and that “no one” had previously been turned away.
They stated, “As the West End producers of Slave Play, our goal is to fill the production with the widest audience possible.” Our aim is to increase universal access to the theatre experience.
Black Out nights were devised for the Broadway production, and we are currently deliberating on the best way to incorporate this initiative into two performances during our thirteen-week run. We will issue further information shortly.
Without any exception, attendance at any performance of Slave Play will not be prohibited or restricted.
The play’s website indicated on Friday morning that tickets were available for purchase for a matinee performance on 17 July, but not for an evening performance, during the “Black Out” dates.
It appeared that no tickets were available for 17 September.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for Mr. Sunak stated, “The prime minister is a strong advocate for the arts, believing that it should be accessible and inclusive for all, especially arts venues that receive public funding.”
“These reports are clearly concerning, and further information is being sought.” But it is clear that imposing racial restrictions on audiences would be wrong and divisive.”
“No colour bar”
Jeremy O. Harris, an American actor and playwright, wrote Slave Play. The production also features Banana sensation Fisayo Akinade and Olivia Washington, the daughter of Denzel Washington.
After being accused of being “discriminatory against white people” by some social media users, Emily In Paris star Harris wrote on X: “It goes without saying that the rules were worse during my grandparents’ lifetimes.
“I’m not even saying BLACKS ONLY; I’m inviting black people in advance!” They can bring their white lovers or friends if they choose. There is no colour bar. But there was one in the UK recently!”
Slave Play, nominated for twelve Tony Awards during its Broadway run, is an early 21st-century story of “race, identity, and sexuality” set on a plantation in the southern United States.
According to the production’s organisers, all 804 seats were filled by black-identifying theatre-goers during the 2019 “Black Out” production at New York’s Golden Theatre.
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