CNN
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Greater than 800 Black actors are denouncing backlash geared toward actor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who was forged to play Juliet reverse Tom Holland in an upcoming stage manufacturing of “Romeo & Juliet” in London’s West Finish.
After Amewudah-Rivers’ casting announcement, on-line backlash was fierce, even prompting the Jamie Lloyd Firm – which is behind the theater manufacturing – to issue a statement on social media earlier this month, condemning a “barrage of deplorable racial abuse on-line directed in the direction of a member of our firm.”
Whereas the corporate’s assertion didn’t point out Amewudah-Rivers by title, an open letter in support of Amewaduh-Rivers, who is understood for her work within the collection “Dangerous Schooling,” adopted.
“When information of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ casting in Jamie Lloyd’s manufacturing of Romeo and Juliet was introduced so many individuals celebrated and welcomed this information,” the letter, organized by playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton, acknowledged. “However then what adopted was a too acquainted horror that too many people seen Black darkish skinned performers have skilled.”
“The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a candy soul has been an excessive amount of to bear,” the letter continued. “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. 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.”
The message later continued, “We wish to ship a transparent message to Francesca and all Black ladies performers who face this type 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 misogynoir.”
“Those who got here earlier than you’re by your aspect.”
Among the many a whole bunch who signed the letter are “James Bond” and Marvel star Lashana Lynch, Freema Agyeman (“Physician Who”), Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”), Sheila Atim (“The Girl King”), Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets and techniques & Lies”) and Lolly Adefope (“Ghosts”).
When The Jamie Lloyd Firm issued its tweet decrying the net conduct, the theater firm mentioned, “This should cease… Any abuse won’t be tolerated and will probably be reported. Bullying and harassment don’t have any place on-line, in our trade or in our wider communities.”
Amewudah-Rivers will play reverse “Spider-Man” star Holland within the Jamie Lloyd Firm’s manufacturing of the Shakespeare traditional, set to open at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre this summer time. The play is already offered out.
“Romeo & Juliet” opens on Might 23 and can play via August 3.