When Does Plain Old Theater Become "Black Theater?" / Stereohyped

When Does Plain Old Theater Become "Black Theater?"

From the Guardian: "It's an interesting time for black theatre in London at the moment. Stop. Rewind. Is that actually a useful thing to say? This is the question posed by the playwright Bola Agbaje on the Facebook group for her Olivier Award-winning play Gone Too Far!, which returns to the Royal Court in July as part of its Upstairs Downstairs season. The discussion topic "If a black person produces something such as a play, a film or music should it be associated with the word black?" has received almost 4,000 words in reply, passionately arguing both for and against, while examining the wider issues that surround the question."

Jul 1, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 6 Responses

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Tagged: London, Theater

Comments (6)

No. 1 · blackmistressdiva

If a black person creates something I do not immediately deem it "black", but if the creation is targeted specifically to black people and black culture, then I think it is "black". I mean, have you ever been to some of those plays on the chitlin's circuit? A lot of them are so targeted to our culture that those outside of it have a hard time with the language and understanding why characters do what they do.

Posted: Jul 1, 2008 at 2:54 pm

No. 2 · DEAF FEMINIST PUNK!!!!

Why dont white playwrights get slumped into "WHITE THEATRE" category?

As a non-white, colored, deaf female playwright and screenwriter, I find it so dangerous and offensive.

Posted: Jul 1, 2008 at 2:58 pm

No. 3 · Ike

I agree with Bola on this. I dislike the idea of labeling something as "black ______" I think it promotes seperation. It also limits how far your creation/design/production will go.

Posted: Jul 1, 2008 at 7:11 pm

No. 4 · daria from Gorgeous Black Women

Because white is the default. You can fight me on this but it's true.

Posted: Jul 1, 2008 at 9:22 pm

No. 5 · slick selebrity

You know when ever I visit a city I look in the arts paper ( new times, creativeloafing, village voice) and I read all of the decriptions of events, looking for the black ones. This might be closed minded, but hey..

@BLACK MIS… just a side question, is monty python the european/anglo version of Madea ? where if you are not of the creatiing culture you are totally lost?

Posted: Jul 2, 2008 at 9:44 am

No. 6 · blackmistressdiva

^^Yes. I've never been a big fan. Just don't get why ppl like Monty. I like Benny Hill though.

Posted: Jul 7, 2008 at 8:57 pm

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