London play will have 'all-Black' audience nights to allow experience 'free from the White gaze'

A London theater production is designating specific performances for an "all-Black identifying audience," a move explained by the playwright as a means to create a welcoming environment for communities traditionally underrepresented in theater audiences.

"In other circles it would be illegal and racial discrimination," stated a senior Tory Member of Parliament to the Daily Mail, voicing confusion over the legality of the initiative.

Jeremy O. Harris, the playwright, expressed to BBC Sounds his anticipation for the exclusive ticket sales for Black individuals on July 17 and September 17, saying, "it is a necessity to radically invite them in with initiatives that say 'you're invited'. Specifically you,'" highlighting the intent to ensure these groups feel explicitly welcomed.

The initiative, known as "BLACK OUT," was started by Harris following his play "Slave Play" and aims to create spaces where Black audiences can experience cultural events "free from the White gaze," as detailed on the initiative's website. It explains, "For the first time in history, all 804 seats of Broadway’s Golden Theatre were occupied by Black-identifying audience members" during the first BLACK OUT night, underscoring the event's historical significance in celebrating Black culture and history in Broadway.

Harris emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, "One of the things we have to remember is that people have to be radically invited into a space to know that they belong there and in most places in the West, poor people and Black people have been told that they do not belong inside the theater."

Featuring Kit Harington, the London show represents an effort to bridge cultural divides, with Harris, who was raised in a "working-class environment," arguing for the significance of making theater accessible to all.

"There are a litany of places in our country that are generally only inhabited by White people, and nobody is questioning that, and nobody is saying that by inviting Black audiences here you are uninvited," Harris remarked, addressing concerns about exclusivity on these nights.

He further clarified the rationale behind "Black Out" nights, stating, "The idea of a Black Out night is to say this is a night that we are specifically inviting Black people to fill up the space, to feel safe with a lot of other Black people in a place where they often do not feel safe," and acknowledged the distinct ways "culturally White audiences and Black audiences respond to things differently," highlighting the unique impact of cultural experiences on theatergoing.