A West End theatre production has sparked controversy by announcing plans to hold two performances exclusively for black audiences, aimed at providing an experience 'free from the white gaze'. The decision, associated with the play 'Slave Play' at the Noel Coward Theatre, featuring Kit Harington among the cast, and created by playwright Jeremy O. Harris, has been criticized and debated across various platforms. Critics argue that this move towards cultural segregation is morally wrong and promotes racial division by excluding white audience members. Proponents, including Harris, defend the decision by stating it allows black audience members to feel safe and enjoy the play without the discomfort of the 'white gaze'. The debate has reached Downing Street, with the production team now 'carefully considering' the plan amid growing backlash. Dr Rakib Ehsan expressed that such exclusive nights should be illegal, criticizing the introduction of US-inspired racial identity politics.
London’s West End play to host blacks only nights to insulate attendees from “the White gaze.” Follow: @AFpost https://t.co/E9ggr8bNhD
'Cultural segregation should not be legitimised by sweet-sounding progressive language'. @tomowolade reacts to a West End play's 'black-only' audience initiative 👇 https://t.co/aK6agm7I7r
Producers of a West End theatrical production are “carefully considering” holding evenings with black-only audiences amid criticism from Downing Street. Slave Play at the Noel Coward Theatre, which features Kit Harington among the cast, was set to have two performances aimed https://t.co/XgVmOO5uct
"Not just morally wrong. It is also silly." @tomowolade gives his verdict on the West End theatre restricting certain nights of its new play to an "all black-identifying audience" @UnHerd https://t.co/nfUIjE8piY
London play will have 'all-Black' audience nights to allow experience 'free from the White gaze' https://t.co/Sak4Ae5VPm
Social policy analyst Dr Rakib Ehsan says it should be illegal for West End’s ‘Slave Play’ to host nights exclusively for ‘all-black identifying audiences.' “I don’t want to see this US-inspired racial identity politics.” @JuliaHB1 | @rakibehsan https://t.co/yV1VuEvJJE
It has always crossed my mind that when a theatre specifies black only audience, it's a publicity gimmick. The Noel Coward Theatre @DMTWestEnd is putting a production of Slave Play, with nights for blacks to "avoid the white gaze". That or playwright @jeremyoharris is a… https://t.co/LMXbHHmbpd
A controversial West End theatre production about race, identity and sexuality in 21st century America will put on two nights for black-only audiences to watch the play "free from the white gaze". https://t.co/x9M9KKNs0F
🗞️ The Daily Mail: 'West End play tells white theatregoers they aren't welcome as it hosts all-black audience nights at Kit Harington production to 'protect' ticket holders from the white gaze' @AndrewDoyle_com @LewisSchaffer @JoshxHowie https://t.co/fXRRCQNYGH
It's reported that a West End theatre play will host all-black audience nights so they can watch ‘free from the white gaze'. Mike Graham: “Imagine putting on a play where only white people were allowed to go… How soon before the police would be at the stage door?” @Iromg https://t.co/3UC0DXkm1x
The playwright says black audience members need to ‘feel safe with a lot of other black people”, as “black audiences and white audiences respond to things differently”. If you think this isn’t racism, just substitute white for black. West End play stages black-only shows 'free…
"West End play stages shows to all-black audience ‘free from the white gaze’" https://t.co/yeQJUoblgL
West End play criticised over decision to have 'Black Out' performances - to protect theatre goers from 'the white gaze' https://t.co/4OIn1hWyJU