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?

A high proportion of London theatre audiences will be tourists.

I came here to say the same, I've had this discussion a few times in the past. As a predominantly white population (82%) you can't hide from the fact that there will always be a lot more white faces than black and to be honest, when it comes to representation in the media/entertainment on a percentage of population level, black people are over represented and Asian ethnic groups are often under represented.

This is a play about slavery. It is an incredibly difficult and emotive subject. If some black people feel that it is better for them to experience the play without white people present, then I absolutely respect that wish.

What of black Africans who have never had the experience of slavery? I know I'm quibbling but black and slave are not synonymous by a long way.

This. It's a simple attempt to drudge up more bums on seats.

I’m white. I don’t have a view. If that’s what audiences want then fill your boots.

However, there are some black commentators that are worried that this is a gentle step back to segregation. Might black people feel less able to go to “normal” showings? Might it become a norm of black showings to everything, promoted by white people who don’t want black people at their “showings”? Do we end up with black people having different schools and water fountains under the guise of making them feel more comfortable? I don’t know, I don’t end up marginalised by this so my opinion also doesn’t really matter.

I would’ve thought the issue with the theatre is class as much as (if not more than) race - accepting the two are intertwined. I get this is unique to this play that probably wants to actively attract a black audience and is coming up with a marketing ploy to do so, but cheaper tickets, plays in the regions and free tickets to low income schools would be a bigger equaliser for the theatre.

Thanks for thinking about it.

I don't think it's the same for a historically oppressed group of people to request a dedicated space as it would be the other way round, no. Their experiences cannot possibly be comparable.

And yes, women need single sex spaces for reasons of privacy, dignity and safety. Men who don't want us to have those spaces might tell us that we're being silly, that NAMALT, that we need to be more inclusive etc. Men cannot possibly comprehend what it's like to be a woman in our society and they may not understand or accept the reasons that we give for why we want those spaces.

I have never experienced being a black person in our society, so I am not going to presume to speak for them as to why don't of them might want spaces that are for black people only. However, I don't think it's for me, as a white person, to determine that their reasons are not good enough or that they need to be more inclusive etc. I don't have their lived experience, so how could I possibly judge that they don't need such spaces or that others should be allowed in. It isn't for me to say.

Maybe because for those 80+ performances 'white money' is, by people's own admission on here, what's keeping the play running - then suddenly it's not welcome?

Maybe because they want to attend as a family of mixed heritage - however their white mother is not welcome?

This IS segregation - and the complete opposite of what we should be doing in an 'inclusive' society.

I got stuck at 'identify as black' is that a thing?

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.

But if they wanted to attend as a family of mixed heritage, why wouldn't they just go on one of the other nights?

Not going to get into a debate about "white money"...

❤️ @StormingNorman & @NeverDropYourMooncup

So maybe not filling the theatre is a risk that they have decided they're willing to take? That's their call, really.

The theatre stated that no one would be turned away from the theatre. Which means that even if white people turn up, they will still be able to get in- so a mixed race family can attend any of the nights really.
No one is segregated here anyways- black people are not told to only turn up to those two or three performances, they can attend any, but the invitation to attend with (mostly) other black members is extended on those few days.

In places like The Globe, or some of the musicals. My local theatre does not really experience many tourists coming. Black or white and many off West End theatres rely on audiences from local communities, not tourists.

I really don’t get the big deal about this, it feels like another way to tell black people off for talking about their experiences of racism and discrimination in this country.

I remember watching roots in school, with my predominantly black class. Some of the white children were laughing, some of the black children were angry, embarrassed, uncomfortable etc. Yes we were all children but that is a feeling I have experienced many times throughout my life. Sometimes, it just feels better to have others around you who ‘get it’, it can feel safer and more comfortable. Not everyone feels that way of course and if so, you don’t need to engage. But telling black people your wrong or silly for feeling that way is so passive aggressive to me and part of the reason why the under current of racism is alive and well. You don’t need to understand why this is important to some, it is. If you want to understand why genuinely, be open to discussions and hearing the other person’s perspective.

But white people are always included anyways, and on two random nights they may opt not to attend when they can watch the show for many other nights over a period of 6 or however many weeks, other nights, how is this excluding anyone?

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?

I don’t get the big deal about this. They have some nights where they are encouraging black audiences to come, that’s all. They’re not stopping non-black punters from attending on those nights at all (which would be illegal anyway).

I think black people can vote with their feet.

If the majority don't like the idea of a Black Out night, then they don't have to attend on those nights. They can buy tickets for one of the other nights, or they can go to see something else instead.

If the theatre isn't able to sell tickets for the Black Out nights, then they're unlikely to repeat the experiment.

If the theatre fills up on these nights, then it would appear that they're catering to a genuine need/want in the community.

It's inevitable that there will be differing views on this from people with different life experiences. That's OK. People are allowed to want different things.

I really don't think this is going to be a slippery slope towards wider segregation. That point of view seems very far fetched to me.

The theatre will definitely sell out but it will be on the basis of people scrambling to attend a controversial "moment" not necessarily for the sake of theatre or the play itself which is why its a marketing ploy

How on earth can you be so sure of that?!

I'm half black and I hate it. It makes me very uncomfortable, we should be moving towards a world where race doesn't matter. This is going in entirely the wrong direction.

I think you're right that it's another way to tell black people off for talking about their experiences of racism and discrimination.

I completely understand why some people might find it easier to be around others who truly "get it". I honestly don't know why it's so hard for some people to accept this.

Oooh, I’ve just thought how this could be a win-win for everyone: loads of racist half-wits who think this is a “blacks only” performance turn up and demand to be admitted. To their great surprise they get admitted, the theatre gets bums on seats from people who would never normally attend the theatre, and the racists might actually learn something.

These threads bring out the racists.

There is a misconception I think that MN is full of ‘woke liberals’. Post the ‘right’ kind of thread and the Neanderthals come crawling out!