Posters of Romeo & Juliet. courtesy: romeojulietldn)
New Delhi:
A number of outstanding Black actors, together with Lashana Lynch and Susan Wokoma, have signed an open letter condemning the abuse confronted by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers following her casting as Juliet in a West Finish manufacturing of Romeo & Juliet. The letter, organised by Wokoma and author Somalia Nonyé Seaton, has garnered over 880 signatures until now. It highlights the racist and misogynistic abuse directed at Francesca Amewudah-Rivers and requires assist and recognition of Black performers going through such harassment.
The letter learn, “When information of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ casting in Jamie Lloyd’s manufacturing of Romeo & Juliet was introduced so many individuals celebrated and welcomed this information. Many people took to social media to bathe our child sis with love and congratulations- an enormous deal for somebody so younger of their profession. An enormous rising expertise. However then what adopted was a too acquainted horror that too many people visible-skinned performers have skilled. The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a candy soul has been an excessive amount of to bear. For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is actually embarrassing for these so empty and barren in their very own lives that they have to meddle in hateful abuse.
The letter added, “Too many occasions Black performers – notably Black actresses – are left to face the storm of on-line abuse after committing the crime of getting a job on their very own. Too many occasions theatre firms, broadcasters, producers, steamers have failed to supply any assist or assist when their black artists face racist and misogynistic abuse. Reporting is simply too typically left on the shoulders of the abused who’re additionally then anticipated to advertise stated present.”
“We need to ship a transparent message to Francesca and all Black ladies performers who face this sort of abuse – WE see you. We see the artwork you handle to provide with not solely the pressures that your white colleagues face however with the added traumatic hurdle of misogyny. Those that got here earlier than you might be by your aspect. These ready within the wings, are by your aspect,” the open letter concluded.
For the unversed, the controversy ignited when The Jamie Lloyd Firm introduced Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet alongside Tom Holland as Romeo within the upcoming staging of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Whereas Tom Holland’s casting was met with pleasure, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers confronted a barrage of on-line abuse, with some questioning her suitability for the function and making derogatory remarks about her look, together with comparisons to males and statements {that a} “white” actress ought to painting Juliet. Finally, the choice to touch upon her casting announcement submit was disabled because of the escalating scenario.
Responding to the extreme backlash, Jamie Lloyd Productions, the organisation behind the Shakespeare revival, issued a press release on April 7 condemning the racial abuse directed at Francesca, stating, “This should cease.”
The assertion learn, “Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet forged, there was a barrage of deplorable racial abuse on-line directed in direction of a member of our firm. THIS MUST STOP,” shared the memo. “We’re working with a outstanding group of artists. We insist that they’re free to create work with out going through on-line harassment.”
“We are going to proceed to assist and defend everybody in our firm in any respect prices. Any abuse won’t be tolerated and will likely be reported. Bullying and harassment don’t have any place, in our trade or in our wider communities. Our rehearsal room is stuffed with pleasure, compassion and kindness. We rejoice the extraordinary expertise of our unimaginable collaborators,” it concluded.”
Romeo & Juliet additionally stars Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, and others. The manufacturing is ready to run from Could 11 to August 3 on the Duke of York’s Theatre, with tickets for the 12-week run already offered out. Notably, Tom Holland has not publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ casting.
