A black Queen Elizabeth 1 or a cotton plantation full of white slaves? just wrong IMHO
I don't know, actually. I would agree if it was a play or film trying to be historically factual. But if you put white men into the situation of black slaves, or a black woman into a conversation with Sir Walter Raleigh about legitimising piracy, would it not throw a different (and useful) light onto those issues? Possibly even make a few more people question their complacency and complicity?
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I think it wouldn't work in the two cases you mention (Mohammed Ali or Martin Luther King Jnr), as their colour and the racism around it is so much about who they are and what they did so a film about their lives wouldn't work without it.
However if a play is about discrimination ........ a black St Joan would work ...
... and a black Eliza Doolittle would raise some interesting questions
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm all for acting equality, but why are historical characters played by people of a different colour? Would anyone support a film about Mohammad Ali or Martin Luther King being played by a white actor?
Thinking more on this, I can imagine a play with the race of the main characters transposed ... that would be interesting ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A black Queen Elizabeth 1 or a cotton plantation full of white slaves? just wrong IMHO
I don't know, actually. I would agree if it was a play or film trying to be historically factual. But if you put white men into the situation of black slaves, or a black woman into a conversation with Sir Walter Raleigh about legitimising piracy, would it not throw a different (and useful) light onto those issues? Possibly even make a few more people question their complacency and complicity?
Yes, I agree. It depends on what you think the theatre is for ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Just reminded me of another word for the pushes my button thread! I am a woman, and I was born female. I refuse to have the label cis woman foisted on me. I’m happy for those directly involved in changing their gender to choose an appropriate descriptor for themselves, but I’ve not asked to have my historic title changed, and do not wish it to be.
Well I didn't 'thrust it on you' I used the word to differentiate women who are not transgender and used the word for brevity. I could have used the word 'non-trans' but it means exactly the same thing, so I am not sure what the problem is....
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
After the initial reaction to unexpected colour, say for Elizabeth I, if the actor was good enough, you'd soon forget. I remember watching a bit of a film where American soldiers were sneaking about a town dressed as German soldiers. One of them was black. I suspect he would have been spotted fairly soon.
There was recently a Black Ann Bolelyn.She was definitely white,the casters said it was OK because it's "acting" Iike the word pronounced CONTROV ERSY.Anyonr see in the paper at the weekend,woman resigned from her job, in car sales,didn't like a car described as "for a grandmother" although she is one. Agree it's a bit stupid, especially as it was quite a big car. Apparently,she doesn't like being called a grandmother, although she is one,(I became a grandmother at 42,didn't bother me!) Then she went to a tribunal and tried to sue for "wrongfully dismissal"
I think a Black Anne Boleyn is as "wrong " as a Man playing Anne Boleyn. Ditto a woman, white or black , playing Martin Luther King. I'm sure it's not difficult to find actors of a suitable caliber to portray historical characters with some degree of physical resemblance.
Posts
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
However if a play is about discrimination ........ a black St Joan would work ...
... and a black Eliza Doolittle would raise some interesting questions
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm sure it's not difficult to find actors of a suitable caliber to portray historical characters with some degree of physical resemblance.