To think Black Out nights in theatre ARE important

[PenguinLord]

I know there was a theatre that did it last year and a thread about it- but there is a West End venue this year which will host two or three black out nights (where "all-black-identifying audiences" are invited) of the Slave Play. I had mixed feelings, but after having read a few articles on it, I actually agree with the concept- for the record I am very much white.

Spokesperson for the PM criticised black out nights saying "“The prime minister is a big supporter of the arts and he believes that the arts should be inclusive".

But let's face it, theatre experience is far from inclusive or accessible. Having 2 out of a few dozen nights will not really make a difference, nor excludes people who are not black to attend literally 80 if not more other performances. I was in theatre this week, and had a good look around. 98% of the audience were white. There were a few Asian people and 1 (one) black person- in the audience of around 300.

I suppose Id be far less likely to attend an event where I would stick out like a very sore thumb, is it really such a big deal to have two performances where people who dont usually feel theatre is an inclusive space can feel welcome, surrounded by people that belong to the same community?

Apparently not though!

A play about sexual abuse that excluded men on certain nights could be highly appropriate contextually, and I would agree with that. A play excluding certain Arab groups on certain nights may also be appropriate, but that depends on the play, the historical relevance to its audience etc.

Because they want to go on that night. It could be a special occasion?

Fair enough. But that's not what the term 'black out night' suggests...

We recently went to see a new musical with quite a diverse cast, and I realised halfway through the interval that there was not a single person of colour watching it. And we were the youngest by a long way. Theatre needs to be more accessible for all, but the only way that happens is by more investment and lower prices.

You think people think we shouldn't ban people from events based on the colour of their skin because they don't understand it's not nice? Why are they complaining then? Confused, sorry...

If, by some massive coincidence, the only time they could attend, due to this special occasion, and this play being the only thing they wanted to do on their special occasion, then nobody would stop them.

It's not a ban.

Jumping through hoops is a very appropriate username.

I agree with you about this not being a slippery slope. This is a play about slavery. I don’t think any sane person would want to see black-only or white-only audiences for Wicked or Sister Act etc…

Because it is literally excluding people on those nights! That's precisely why this is even a conversation.

If anything, the fact that so many white people, apparently, are going to see this play tells us exactly how NOT racist the UK is!

When I went to see One Love at the cinema, I was heartened to see how many other white people were there.

There is more than one way to exclude people without banning them, which I guess is what this whole thread is about. Theatre is not really my thing, it is too expensive and mostly too boring but if people want to go then everyone should feel comfortable doing so.

It literally isn't excluding anyone. Encouraging black people to come together for a shared experience isn't the excluding white people.

As for your assumption that the UK isn't racist because some people went to see a film about Bob Marley.... are you actually for real.

Seems like you just want all people to agree with your opinion and if someone has the opposite opinion to yours, you have a further opinion about it not being the "right" one.

And No, I do not think black out nights are important.

Maybe you should tune in to Candace Owens.

It’s a slippery slope in terms of the principle of it though isn’t it? We’ve already now had people agreeing that plays where the audience are made up of groups of exclusive race/ religion etc might be quite nice. So doesn’t that support the point that it’s a divisive move rather than a unifying one?

But it literally isnt- white people can still come? How is that exclusing anyone?

You assume just because some white people will go to theatre to see a play, it somehow translates into racism not being a thing?
What about this then?
Article

How about having theatre performances for the poor and underprivileged amongst us, who have never been to the theatre or opera because they can’t afford, or if they do manage to go there they feel like they don’t belong because they’re not wearing the right clothes, and feel uncomfortable? When I last when to the theatre, I had to pay £300 for four of us, and which is so far out of reach for many who would love to be there. There’s many unrepresentative people who never get to enjoy these events.

Yes. They are essentially asking other races to give black people space to experience the play and all the emotions it raises without having to deal with the “you weren’t a slave get over it” nonsense.

I go to the theatre (both West End and regional) at least once a week, maybe more and have been for at least 20 years

Maybe it’s the shows I go to but I have never looked round and thought this is all white night

I am in a theatre meet up group where we go to shows as a group. The topic of this play came up at our last meet up. Everyone that was there, about 10 people that included people that are white, black and Asian, all agreed that this is ridiculous and is a slippery slope to more divisiveness. Our wider group is very mixed and has people from all different backgrounds

But these are not exclusive- there should be more cheaper tickets for many more people. There is a lot of talk about how high the tickets are for theatres if you care to look around, and a number of theatre makers and actors from working class (and not only!) have spoken about this issue.
I have never paid more than £60 per ticket and that was super special, and I usually go to local places where I pay £15 to sit in front row or a decent seat, the atmosphere is relaxed, obviously I may not see Hollywood celebs among the cast, but there are places where you can see pretty amazing plays for a fraction of West End prices.

I didn’t pick up on it meaning POC aren’t welcome at another performance. My interpretation was just that it is such a sensitive subject the audience and performers might feel free to experience the play differently than if there were others around who don’t have the same connection to it.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the UK is one of the least if not the least racist countries in the world

Aren’t you splitting hairs here? It may not be a legally enforced ban on attendance of people who aren’t black. But it’s stating that they would be unwelcome - because that’s precisely what everyone who supports this move has said. It’s promoting a segregation even if unenforceable.

Others have pointed out that class rather than race is more likely to be a barrier to theatre attendance. Do you think this is fair or relevant? If so it may not be racism that’s even the core issue with theatre attendence by black people but more the cost of it, cultural perceptions around going to the theatre etc. In which case ‘Black Out’ events are barking up the wrong street in terms of making theatre as inclusive as possible.

Not in the West End they don't. You won't find much in the way of ticket price reductions for big productions at regional theatres either.

I dont look around to see if this is an all white night. I look around and see mostly white faces with a maybe a tiny handful of people from ethnic minorities.
Black out nights have already happened, and... where is that slippery slope you have been talking about? Have you heard of any drastic events that followed?
I have colleagues at work who are black and supportive of this and didnt see it as divisive at all, some are planning to go to the play on the black out night with friends. You will find all sorts of opinions and no one is representing their whole race.

My daughter has learned about slavery at school and there wasn't an individual lesson for poc; all the children regardless of ethnicity learned the same lesson. I think this attitude should be extended to adulthood.

I think white people have to learn about slavery and they are entitled to have opinion and critically analyse sources from this period. History is not the preserve of any one culture or ethnicity.

POC 'owning' slavery as obviously slavery effected their ancestors seems quite exclude in 2024 and seems to suggest historical topics are only worthy of comment or debate from certain ethnicities. I don't agree with this.

I don't agree with labelling white people as 'oppressors' in a diverse community in 2024 UK as it is unnecessarily divisive. An focus on slavery being somehow still being an immediate factor in terms of the realities of modern Britain isn't really necessary and detracts from current causes and solutions for racism in the UK.

I think you struggle with reading comprehension. No one will be turned away, if you feel unwelcome sitting in an audience of mostly black people, that's on you then. If white people feel unwelcome ebcause a theatre says "we would love lots of black people to turn up", it tells us a lot about the society.

You will find all sorts of opinions and no one is representing their whole race.

Exactly. That is the very point of a discussion forum like this, to hear different opinions and my post above was mine and the experience of people I have spoken about around this topic

You have a different one, doesn’t mean that one of us is wrong and one is right