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Two proposed “Black Out” performances in London’s West End of Jeremy O. Harris’ “Slave Play” have come under fire from U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office.
The controversial play about race, identity, and sexuality in 21st-century America takes place on the MacGregor Plantation, where the Old South is alive and well. It follows three interracial couples who undergo “antebellum sexual performance therapy” to revitalize their relationships.
During the broadcast of “Slave Play”, two Black Out nights are planned on July 17 and September 17, which are “the intentional creation of an environment in which an all-black audience can experience and discuss an event in the scenery”. Artistic, cinematographic, sports and cultural spaces, free of the white gaze,” according to a statement from the production.
“The Prime Minister is a great supporter of the arts and believes that the arts should be inclusive and open to all, particularly when those arts spaces receive public funding,” a spokesperson for Sunak said. “Obviously these reports are worrying and more information is being sought. But clearly, restricting hearings based on race would be wrong and divisive.”
“It is a declaration of principles that clearly the arts must be inclusive. And I think certain taxpayers would expect that to be the case when it comes to public funding,” the spokesperson added.
“Slave Play,” which transfers from Broadway, will run from June 29 to September 21 at the Noël Coward Theatre, part of the private Delfont Mackintosh Theater Group.
Black Out nights are not a new phenomenon, with London hosting such performances for “Daddy,” also by Harris, and “Tambo & Bones” in the recent past.
“We want to increase accessibility to theater for everyone. “The Broadway production conceived of Black Out nights and we are carefully considering how to incorporate this effort as part of two performances in our 13-week run,” the producers of “Slave Play” said in a statement. “We will publish more details soon. “To be absolutely clear, no one will be prevented or excluded from attending any performance of ‘Slave Play.'”
“I’m not even saying BLACKS ONLY. I’m saying I’ll invite black people first! You can bring your white friends or lovers if you wish. “There is no color barrier.”
“Slave Play” features “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington, Fisayo Akinade (“The Crucible,” “Heartstopper”), Aaron Heffernan (“Brassic,” “Atlanta”), Olivia Washington (“I Am Virgo” ), James Cusati-Moyer (“Six Degrees of Separation,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Chalia La Tour (“Elementary”), Annie McNamara (“Orange is the New Black”) and Irene Sofia Lucio (“The Americans” ).
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