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?

😂😂😂😂...oh, you're serious?

Surely it does though? Just like being married to a woman means you can’t possibly be a misogynist?

Ha, quite!

That's fair enough if you would like men at a 'Let Women Speak' event, I wouldn't like that at all really.

And that's absolutely OK.

As long as there is choice which there is here. White people are being encouraged to go on another day, of which there are many, not told outright they shouldn't, just asked.

I don't support anything that is not inclusive. Can we say that only Danes can watch Hamlet etc.?

Actually one of the most intelligent comments, people need to get around more.

No it's racist. "Lets have a whites only night" yeh like anyone is ever going to say.

I come from a white working class West country background...apart from "outlaws" on BBC when do you ever see me portrayed on tv. Less than 1/2% of my school year went to university....I'm seen as what the yanks call a redneck. I open my mouth and I am a yokle...there ain't theatre nights for us...

Do you honestly think that's even remotely comparable?

I'm still wondering how white people are losing out, being disadvantaged or otherwise negatively impacted by being asked to consider leaving a handful of evenings for a non white audience?

How does it hurt us to respect this small gesture?

No it's not racist. Asking a group to go another of the many, many nights for the comfort of a minority group isn't racist at all.

You think white, British working class people are under represented? 🤣

It is tbh.

Wrap it up any way you want, but it’s exclusion and we all know it.

No, it really isn't.

I think it is all bit patronising and cringy.

Who is excluded?

No, it really is!

Jesus!!!

The way some speak it’s as if all black people have ancestors who were slaves which isn’t the case.

Nobody is being excluded, some people are asked to be mindful of a minority group who may wish to have a shared experience for a couple of nights.

Where's the racism?

Yes we are..where are we on the bbc news, the houses of parliament (both houses), only 16% of white working class boys go to university against 32% of black working class boys.
Since Labour killed the grammer school system...white working class social mobility has died
Listen to radio 4 how many Indian names do you hear working behind the scenes? Where are the captain mainwearings, the Alan Bennett's? Boys who worked hard and pulled themselves up both functionally and really

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.

It’s because it’s a culture that has been imported from America, where black slavery occurred almost within living memory. In the UK our relationship with slavery is completely different but everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

"Nobody is being excluded" of course not, legally, but the intention is there and you know it!

"A West End theatre production about race, identity and sexuality in twenty-first century America will be exclusively performed for a white-only audience on certain days to protect them from "the black gaze".

☝️ but this stated in the media would immediately be racist to black people, would it not?????

If you read the thread, British people are not banned from those performances.

I read the thread. My point was pretty clear from my post, maybe re-read it?

"the purposeful creation of an environment in which an all-Black-identifying audience can experience and discuss an event in the performing arts, film, athletic, and cultural spaces – free from the white gaze,”

Wasn't exactly what you said there now, was it.

The fact you had to change it up a bit means you know you're wrong.

It's not racist that a group of people wish to get together and experience something that effects them, no.

You really need to look at why you're so upset about this (I already know the answer).

@Tygers makes a good point. Racism has different origins and implications in the UK than the USA. Importing American solutions to UK racism is not going to work.