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?

I work in theatre in London. Shrug.

its almost like things go on outside your own personal experience…..?

🤣

That's racist. Why should a black person be affected differently by something historical that didn't affect them personally just because of the colour of their skin?

Yes I know that there is still racism today etc.

If they want to encourage more black people to attend they should look at advertising

please define racism in this context

You know you’re basically doing the same thing though? By saying to black people that they’re ‘more’ welcome on black out nights, what does that mean for other nights? Are they less welcome? Should they not come?

By my reckoning, black people can come on any day but they choose not to. If only 4% of the population is black then, of course you’re going to see less of them in a theatre showing.

Call me racist all you want but percentages don’t lie. Can you honestly say that at every theatre showing you’ve attended, it’s been 100% white? Or has there been a realistic representation of black people? If there’s at least 4% of the audience who are black then I see no issue.

Slavery changed the course of history for black people and they are still living with the aftermath.

Those whose ancestors were sold into slavery may feel their suffering as depicted in this play on a more personal level.

Have you ever seen that programme where celebrities trace their family tree? When they find great-grandma was put in an orphanage they feel it like a kick in the gut. They feel great-grandma’s pain and grieve for her, there are often tears. it may not be easily explainable but there is a bond to our ancestors even if we’ve never met them.

So which productions were these?

I was not saying that black people are less welcome on other nights either, you pull this interpretation out from your backside. Read what the play maker said about this, maybe you will understand better (or maybe not).

Why quote irrelevant national statistics, London has a 13% of black population- in 5 years of attending plays I cant say I have seen many shows that reflected that. Clearly some other people out there do think it's an issue.

Samuel Takes A Break
Tambo and Bones
Blue
Bootycandy

for anyone in London areas I also recommend “For Black boys….” At the Garrick.

Anything that attributes behaviour or characteristics to someone's skin colour is racist.

Any thoughts on Red Pitch at Soho Place?

False analogy.

Slavery is as old a mankind. Holocaust isn’t. But I doubt any Jewish people would like plays just for them.

White people where also slaves (as the word tells you: slave = Slav). So many raids were made on Eastern Europe and so many women taken captive that it’s still reflected today in the DNA of people inhabiting parts of Turkey and the Middle East. There is still a word in Polish for those women: ‘branka’.

White people did not introduce slavery in Africa. They bought slaves from Africans. Slave markets in Africa were booming long before white people arrived. But the British ended slavery, hence why today it exists everywhere but in the West.

And what about the trans Saharan slave trade where black men were routinely castrated? It claimed more victims than the trans Atlantic slave trade.

The trans Atlantic slave trade was abhorrent. But the whole issue has become oversimplified imho and I feel it’s becoming another stick to beat the West with.

Not managed to see it but I see big things in store for Tyrell Williams hopefully!

Yes of course, I agree. But that is not "all black people". That is particular people with particular experiences or family histories.

We can't turn the clock back unfortunately. I don't know the answer but generalisations are not helpful

The British may have ended slavery but they also traded more slaves than the rest of Europe put together. There's debate over whether the end of slavery was due to economic reasons and not altruistic. Let's not imagine British history is better than anywhere else. This kind of thinking is wrong and dangerous

Well, I’m an immigrant in case it changes your perspective on what I’ve written.

Christian altruism played a big part in ending slavery. If anything, it was done against economic reasons, the country as a whole lost money fighting slavery.

For whatever reason, Britain ended it.

Let's not imagine British history is better than anywhere else. This kind of thinking is wrong and dangerous

Dangerous how?

Also, Britain didn’t trade more slaves than the rest of Europe put together.

Have you even heard about what Spain and Portugal did in South America? Why do you think it is that almost the whole continent speaks Spanish?

I recommend writings of father Bartholome de las Casas. Extremely eye-opening.

If nothing else, Soho Place is an amazing venue, so I wouldsee it at least for that, it's a well designed, modern space with no seats with restricted view, good pricing, and it was a transfer from the Bush Theatre that does some interesting things as well.

Just because slavery happened is still happening elsewhere doesn't mean some members of a non white theatre audience should not be permitted a handful of evenings to absorb a production and reflect on its legacy, amongst other theatre goers who have ancestry like them.

Once again for those who have comprehension difficulties - white people are not barred, just not encouraged and when there are so many other evenings to choose from I don't get what the problem is. Why is it so important for some people that a majority black audience can't experience this together? What are they taking from you? How is this affecting you?

Pandering to a lingering sense of British exceptionalism, encouraging self-definition by the soi-distant glories of the past, a disinclination to examine certain aspects of that history and its ongoing impacts etc? The Windrush scandal was only a few years ago.

This. It seems a deeply uncontroversial initiative to me.

So it's dangerous in that it fosters a sense of cultural or national identity that you personally don't like?
How do you think Britain should self-define?