Actors refused to 'Brown-Up'.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....efusing-black-up.html

Since it seems obvious this theatre group had no dark skinned actors to play these parts, were the organisers wrong to ask white actors to use dark brown make-up, so as to make them look like South Sea Islanders?

[anotheoldgit]

jno

/// Perhaps they could try hiring a few brown people? ///

This was an amateur operatic society, which I presumed didn't operate a colour bar policy.

So therefore 'brown people' would be quite welcomed to join, in their obvious absence, are you saying that the group should not put on shows that include brown or black people in the cast?

[sasskins]

When I go to see any production, I like it to be as authentic as possible or what is the point? The 'am-drams' should take it seriously enough to ensure as much authenticity as poss - if they can't, they should realise their limitations and choose something else to produce.
I would say really it is more about equal opportunities than human rights. I really dislike TV progs that use able-bodied actors to portray disabled characters, when there are disabled actors desperate for work. For example, the 'blind' female character on Emmerdale.

[anotheoldgit]

Which ones are the South Sea Islanders Gromit?

[jno]

aog: yes, that's what I'm saying. You can always write out the odd brown character out of the script, but to attempt something called South Pacific without having any actors of colour is seriously unwise. (It's not simply a musical with coloured people, it's a musical about racism.) You might as well stage a ballet when you haven't got any ballerinas.

[anotheoldgit]

sasskins

Then perhaps these soaps should also use proper Gays, instead of straight actors pretending to be gay?

[Gromit]

Polynesian women aren't mahogany coloured. What was the director thinking?

http://wwwdelivery.su...tock_1598R-161944.jpg

[sasskins]

Yes AOG - why not?

[mrs_overall]

What about a white actor in say a TV series where half way through the series he jets off abroad. He would have to be daubed with fake tan or similar for the sake of authenticity - I really cant see any difference - it is all make up to play a part.
Now what about the real scandal - men playing the role of women and vice versa in pantomimes, My mother in law would make a brilliant ugly sister but the roles always go to men.

[jno]

i think that was the Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair scene, Gromit, which takes place among US nurses, including Nelly Forbush from Little Rock.

[jno]

pantos have their own rules, which seldom involve any attempt at plausibility. Your mil should audition for the lead boy role, mrs o - they always go to females.

[anotheoldgit]

That is great, one more British tradition down the pan.

Amateur dramatics has long been a typical enjoyable British pursuit, now according to jno, they should now cease putting on such classics as South Pacific, all in the name of racial sensitivities.

[mrs_overall]

She is 87 jno - bit old for principal boy, what with all that thigh slapping and winging from ropes lol

[rojash]

"then perhaps these soaps should also use proper Gays, instead of straight actors pretending to be gay?"

Yeah, and thrillers could use real murderers, sci-fi films could use real aliens, and soaps could use real arsonists.

[jno]

I didn't say they should stop staging South Pacific, I said they should hire brown people. If they can't be bothered, then they should stage Salad Days and The Boy Friend, both great British classics.

mrs o, that is terribly ageist of them. Has she thought of putting on a *lot* of makeup?

[mrs_overall]

good point well made rojash

[anotheoldgit]

sasskins

Would actors now have to enter their sexual preferences on their CVs?

[mrs_overall]

jno, she already has her own set of trowels lol

[jno]

acting is about appearance, so if you look like an arsonist that is probably enough. If you do not look like a native of Bali Hai but like a white woman covered in boot polish, that is not good enough; the audience will giggle instead of paying attention.

[naomi24]

//She [Ms Broad] said: She said: 'We just couldn’t believe we were asked to do it in this day and age - it is just not acceptable. Four of us felt uncomfortable and offended.//

What utter nonsense! This sort of thing does nothing to eliminate racism – rather it encourages it. What’s wrong with having brown skin? In her eagerness to appear to be politically correct she hasn’t realised her comment could well backfire on her by offending people with brown skin! Let’s hope the company doesn’t attempt Porgy & Bess!

[chaptazbru]

Daft woman !