To think Black Out nights in theatre ARE important

Yes what I am going on about is there are lots of programmes on R4 about India...dramas recorded there...where are the Chinese, African, Latin America programmes.
where are the stories about Somerset, dorset...the Scottish plays? Sunderland and Carlisle, Ipswich and Norwich. Where are the guys with my accent reading the gurt lush news...why ain't we talking about daps and dapping down the village.
you don't even know what I am talking about but I bet you know about Bollywood films and bangra music

No I don’t think that’s what people are saying. Most people objecting are saying they think it’s divisive and not a good way forward. Not that they are missing out.

Have you ever studied any history? You seem not to understand the significance of it?

Probably half the people on this thread do not "study" history, so your comment here is pretty flippant. Black History is not the only history, although you'd think it was given the responses to some of these comments.

We all know about black oppression, but you're completely missing the whole point.

If you think you're not, then like I've said before, listen to Candace Owens.

However you have no idea where I'm from, what I know about, what I listen to, what I watch, what my heratige is or anything else.

You've given yourself away a bit during this thread though, given your biased responses.

What's heratige? Do you mean heritage?

Ironically, you'll find most theatres do offer at least one "relaxed" autism friendly showing, for almost every production. Sonetimes a weekly relaxed session when it's kid shows.

Think of it as an extra showing to INCLUDE those who might not have otherwise gone, rather than excluding others (who are not barred and can attend).

I can't comment on R4 because I don't listen to it.

However you have no idea where I'm from, what I know about, what I listen to, what I watch, what my heratige is or anything else.

It's abundantly clear that you dislike Indian people though. I have absolutely no idea why you keep bringing it up though, it's just making you look racist honestly.

Yes they are so important and needed!!!

so many butt hurt white feelings - so predictable.

its so funny how white people view equality as them losing something.

I'm not the one getting all of a fluster because some black people may wish to go to the theatre together.

The mental gymnastics you're doing there are quite impressive, I must say.

Yes what I am going on about is there are lots of programmes on R4 about India...dramas recorded there...where are the Chinese, African, Latin America programmes.
where are the stories about Somerset, dorset...the Scottish plays? Sunderland and Carlisle, Ipswich and Norwich. Where are the guys with my accent reading the gurt lush news...why ain't we talking about daps and dapping down the village.
you don't even know what I am talking about but I bet you know about Bollywood films and bangra music

Is this how you think white people will behave in the audience of the Slave Play?

My initial instinct is that it’s divisive, or at least the way it’s being deliberately marketed is. I think a message that’s particularly encouraging one group to attend is fine, but on this occasion they’re simultaneously asking another group not to attend (although they won’t actually bar them if they turn up). That’s the bit that sits somewhat awkwardly with me.

I’ve been reading all the views carefully here as I’m keen to properly understand the opposing view. I’m well aware that I may not be understanding all sides fully. There have been some really interesting comments, which have been helpful and quite enlightening in helping to see things a different way.

Also, what I struggle to understand is why slavery is considered to be a black issue when many white people were enslaved too? And why are people today so affected when it’s described as “ancestral” - and many people may not even know if their own ancestors were slaves?

And with all that in mind, why would a black audience need a space away from white people? Unless the suggestion is that white people today are still being held accountable for ancestral crimes? I can think of many examples where an exclusive space for black people might be necessary, but I can’t see how this is one?

Im certainly not trying to say “white lives matter” and I hope that isn’t how it comes across! I’m just trying to understand what I’m missing.

For context, I’m autistic and sometimes miss the obvious so just want to emphasise my questions are genuine and well-intentioned, if maybe stupid 🫣

Asking white people not to go feels the opposite of uplifting black people which many people have said is the point.

There have been some really useful comparisons on this thread re single sex spaces.

My example - if was a play that was directly relevant to the autistic community it would be great to see a real drive to encourage autistic people to attend. And I’d expect the show to amplify autistic voices, and feature performances from autistic people. I wouldn’t expect neurotypical people to be discouraged from attending, nor explicitly told to book tickets for another night. I think that’s maybe my issue with this - possibly it’s the marketing that I object to? I absolutely understand the need to encourage more diverse audiences and to emphasise that the theatre is for everyone. I’m just not sure that excluding another group is the way to do it.*

*I know white people wont actually be turned away but the marketing basically ask them not to come.

That's why I said some black people. I am aware that black people are not one homogeneous group and I have already acknowledged further up this thread that some black people might prefer to attend one of the regular performances instead. And of course, some black people might not be interested in watching it at all.

All I'm saying is that, if there are black people who would welcome the opportunity to watch this play in a audience that only includes other black people, then I think it's right that they should have the opportunity to do so. If the theatre doesn't manage to sell enough tickets, that's their loss.

Some women don't seem to care about single sex spaces. That's fair enough, they are entitled to feel whatever they feel. But their lack of interest in single sex spaces doesn't invalidate my belief that such spaces can sometimes be very valuable.

So you piss yourself off then? 😘 bless you, I'll pray for you🙏HTH😉

If black performers and/or theatre-goers feel that it's important to have Black Out nights in a play about slavery, then I don't think it's my place as a white person to question that.

Can anyone explain why black people feel the theatre is not for them?
I regularly go to the theatre and would say about 20% of performers are black which is a lot more than the general population.
So if you can see people like you on stage why not buy a ticket and go?

You go right ahead and carefully choose your statistics....

Going on about Indian people who work at radio 4 just shows exactly what you're getting at.

Yes, it would be racist.

Have you ever studied any history? You seem not to understand the significance of it?

But very few do because they find theatres uninclusive. White audiecnes assume they are included, many minorities dont feel they are- and Black out Nights are meant to encourage black audiences to feel included and potentially frequent spaces mroe often.

Perhaps people go to the theatre for different reasons. I’ve never thought of other audience members much unless they’re on their phones or generally being annoying. I certainly don’t feel connected to them in some shared experience. If I wanted that I’d go to some support group or such like.