Show Boat

[Ric.ror]

Does anyone have any info about the show 'Show Boat' in relation to white actors playing the parts of Black Characters

[jno]

interesting IAP, I also greatly enjoy Showboat; but I note the Wikipedia article says Queenie was indeed played in blackface

[Dollie]

I do amateur musicals and round about the early nineties played Julie in Showboat. Half of our 70-strong chorus blacked up and half remained white ( we only had two real black people in the show) and it was a good success as the makeup was professioanlly applied and everyone looked authentic. However, I do know that nowadays, if you want to do Showboat, I believe that societies have stopped 'blacking up' as its considered un PC.

[captainandy]

I haven't seen the wikepedia article and so don't know if it mentions that when MGM was casting for the 1950s remake of 'Showboat', Lena Horne, a black singer/actress, was tipped to play the part of Julie LaVerne, the mixed blood singer aboard the showboat who marries a white man. But it was Ava Gardner, a white actress, who got the part. That's showbiz!

[Ric.ror]

Thank you all for your responses. I was actually more interested in whether it is acceptable for an actor to 'Black -up' for a part or if there was any kind of legislation about that