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?

Because white people are the default. They're always welcome everywhere. That isn't always the case for other races.

@HotelKitchen i'm amazed that there is a conception that Mumsnet is full of woke liberals, I genuinely didn't know that! My experience us it's quite quite the opposite!

Yes. It’s really not that controversial. @PressureLikeATickTickTick doesn’t need to approve.

You're maybe not aware that it's almost impossible to hold a women only event nowadays. Most people who try get cancelled and deplatformed.

This kind of does nothing for racial harmony. The UK is about 82% white so its not rocket science to work out that the majority of theatre audiences will be white. Is there anything stopping other ethnicities attending theatre performances? Is someone standing at the door telling them they can't come in?

The last time I saw this high percentage of black people in the audience was last year in Young Vic, a play about racism written and directed by YV creative director who is also black. This is definitely not the norm- but maybe it depends on the venue, some venues may attract a wider more diverse audience.

Also about the people like you on stage- a black actress was cast as Juliette in the new R&J play, promting a wave of abuse towards the company- not sure if it will encourage many black people to go and see it?

I think it's true that it isn't possible to hold a women-only event these days.

That's not to say that I think it should be impossible though.

And I don't think that the difficulties currently relating to women-only events should be used to justify shutting down events that are aimed at other historically disadvantaged groups. (Not that I'm saying you're suggesting that it should.)

It is actually legal though to hold single sex events and have single-sex organisations/schools etc as there are specific exemptions in the Equality Act.

There are no such exemptions for race and single-race events, organisations and services are always unlawful.

Luckily, and despite what half the contributors to this thread appear to think, Black Out nights are NOT single race events and no puntet, of any race, will be turned away.

You have quite a vivid imagination! I've been to loads of shows, here (all over the country), and abroad. Never have I experienced lots of loud conversations the way you mention. People are usually quiet, also don't stand around talking that's what the café is for. Also, as a survivor of sexual abuse (and bullying etc because of my sex) I don't project my experiences onto other random people.

Also, many people, men AND women have to go to the toilet a lot. They can't control it. Instead you see people needing to go making others 'facilitate' them. How ridiculous. And disablist actually,

FWIW I'm not against the idea of Black Out night. I have Black heritage myself, and it's empowering to see so many of us together watching something with sensitive subject matter. However, it's not something that makes a massive difference if they play's going to be the same. You go with your mates, watch the play, and come home. I don't think it's important to have and as PP said more of a marketing ploy.

You can't do anything about crowded spaces etc etc and in fact in most theatres there's no space for people to stand around chatting anyway. People with no spatial awareness IME are of both sexes. If someone doesn't want to go into the crowd then just stay in the seat until everyone else leaves.

People saying to consider therapy for someone who has your reaction are absolutely right. You pre-empting it doesn't mean that it's wrong.

I find this interesting because surely the people who should be watching a play about male violence are the ones who can do something about male violence... Men.

Presumably, as someone with a black husband and mixed race children, you understand that black people have spent their entire lives having to deal with racism targeted at them and white people... have not? So the two situations are not actually directly comparable at all?

Guess you weren't at the same performance, then, what with being significantly wealthier, better travelled and clearly more cultured than me.

And more sensible! 😄

Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that some women might not appreciate the opportunity to watch it in a women-only audience.

Nobody is telling white people not to watch this play. It's simply that a couple of the performances are being aimed at black audiences.

It's fine by me.

And white people are overwhelmingly more likely to be the perpetrators of racism against black people than a black person is! Surely you can see the parallel?!

I don't mind this.

Presumably its also about trying to get black and ethnic minority people into theatres and so to increase audiences that way.

What I most object to is the phrase ' black identifying.'

A high proportion of Londoners can not afford the theatre, as a Londoner I cannot afford £500 for an evening out with my family of 4 and few of my friends regardless of race or ethnicity could either. The barrier is £££ for many in my experience.

I don’t get it!! Why is it necessary?! Everyone should be welcome for every performance?!

Must be. Only an idiot would allow themselves to be beaten and strangled half to death by their partner whilst disabled and then be stupid enough to go to a play about domestic abuse and expect that maybe a bunch of men wouldn't react to it as though it was all bollocks over their pints afterwards, oblivious to a number of their wives, girlfriends and female friends actually just wanting to get the hell out of there afterwards, after all.

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.

Do you need to "get it"?

It may not be "necessary" but if some black people feel that they would benefit from the opportunity to watch this play in an audience that consists of black people only, is that not reason enough?

There are plenty of other performances at which everyone else will be welcome. As a white person, it doesn't harm me in the slightest to respect the fact that one or two performances might be aimed at black people only.

I thought Black-identifying referred to mixed race people? Do you think they shouldn't be included?

Albeit with a modicum of sense. I have Black great-grandparents but other than that my ancestors have been of various Asian ethnicities. I'm not Black identifying, don't have much lived experience of being Black enough to attend n Black Out night.

It's not socially acceptable for people to identify as another race, IMO. Although it's acceptable to identify as members of the opposite gender. However, happy to be educated if wrong.

in ideal world, everyone should feel like they can go anywhere. But we're far from living in an ideal world.

I think it's about breaking down the perception for some black people that they are not invited and convince them that they indeed are. If you never experienced exclusion because of race, then you will always feel welcome, if you have and do on a regular basis, then by default you may not see yourself welcome in some spaces. So for a white person an all white night may not be necessary because in theatres most nights all mostly/all white nights, but for some black people it could be a spark to visit somewhere they would otherwise not have visited.

There's a big difference IMO between big, expensive productions like musicals and other plays with elaborate sets. Even then, places like the Globe have cheap standing tickets.
It really depends.

But that aside, even £15 for a 'cheap' theatre ticket is lots if you're on a budget.