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?

[jno]

just so, sp1814. As I said earlier, it's about appearances. Why would anyone acting seriously want to be made to look like a pantomime piccaninny?

Sorry to hear you're offended at people taking offence, naomi. It's not so long ago you yourself were claiming to be offended by an avatar randomly assigned to you. I guess we all have our own offence levels, but you have no cause to deride others'.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// I would know which are the natives and which are the sailors based on who were wearing grass skirts and who was in white uniforms. ///

You can never know with sailors. :0)

[anotheoldgit]

/// You couldn't make it up. ///

What an appropriate pun Sandy.

[Philtaz]

Michael Bates would be turning in his grave at such nonsense.

[jno]

sp1814, there's a film I don't suppose you've ever seen (since it has barely been shown since 1970), called Watermelon Man

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066550/

If it ever re-emerges in your lifetime, go to it; it's brilliant

[anotheoldgit]

/// Michael Bates would be turning in his grave at such nonsense.///

To say nothing of Al Jolson.

[pa___ul3]

just another example, in my eyes, of where racism is being completely misunderstood. If there's no mockery or offence intended towards anyone of another race then I don't see how it's racist.
I think a lot of people just don't know what is acceptable and are worried about being labelled racist. To me, it should be as simple as whether or not it was intended.

[naomi24]

jno, //Sorry to hear you're offended at people taking offence, naomi. It's not so long ago you yourself were claiming to be offended by an avatar randomly assigned to you. I guess we all have our own offence levels, but you have no cause to deride others'. //

You really should check your facts before you post sarcastic answers. Here's the thread you're talking about. Take a look and let me know where I claimed to be 'offended'.

http://www.theanswerb...uestion1085173-4.html

[Zeuhl]

It was brilliant the way that Russian actor from Dr Zhivago made such a convincing Arab in Lawrence of Arabia. Zorba the Greek was in it too.

[andy-hughes]

Interesting - i found myself with an instant reaction on reading the Question, then see-sawing my opinion as I read through the replies.

I think the idea of trying to make actors look 'authentic' can only be carried so far - as pointed out, with Hollywood-level prosthetics and talent, Eddie Murphy can look like an old jewish gentleman, but that's hardly likely to be expected, much less delivered, at this level.

Simplest would have been to simply allow costume to indicate ethnicity, saves issues all round in the circumstances, and let's be clear, it is the circumstances that dictate what would be appropriate.

I have never seen SP performed on stage, but I found the film alternately ludircrous, sinister, boring, tasteless, strange, and with a gigantic homo-erotic undertone - try bringing that to realisation with an anateur cast you'd find the issue of skin colour way down the list of problems!!!

[Zeuhl]

^^

L O L andy

[jackthehat]

Plus ca change...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHvX0u-KWgo

[jno]

naomi, you claimed the avatar awarded you was sickeningly revolting and totally repugnant.

I don't know where I could possibly have got the impression you were offended!

[anotheoldgit]

jackthehat

Was that Michael Jackson, second from the left?

[jackthehat]

Her name is Nina Wadia.

So not terribly close and no cigar for you, I'm afraid. :o)

[sp1814]

All actors should take the Sean Connery approach when it comes to being authentic to the ethnicity of the character.

...they all come from Scotland...Russian submarine captains, English spies, Irish American cops...

I look forward to his portrayal of Nelson Mandela, inevitably with a broad Edinburgh accent.

[naomi24]

jno, the image was repugnant to me just as the disgusting images portrayed in Roman Catholic churches are repugnant to me - but your spite is misplaced because those images don't offend me - they just sicken me. Clearly the impression you gained arose from your overly-active imagination. Must try harder, jno. ;o)

[tara20]

I remember Whoopi Goldberg being 'white ' Mr. Cutty.
And what about Othello? Never heard of any complaints there about having to black up. Did Olivier throw a hissy fit? Did Domingo flounce? Exactly.
This is just a stupid woman playing diva.
It's a stage show lady, leave it to the actors who'd love to be employed.

[ludwig]

// I look forward to his portrayal of Nelson Mandela, inevitably with a broad Edinburgh accent. //

'The name's Mandela. Nelshon Mandela.'

Brilliant.

[jno]

naomi, I wish you luck in your search for new synonyms for "offensive"

http://thesaurus.com/browse/offensive

In fact, you seem to have found some of them already.

One woman doesn't like dressing in blackface, another doesn't like images in churches.