The author of the award-winning play Clybourne Park has refused permission to a Berlin theatre company to perform the play after learning that a lead character would appear blacked up.
Managers at the Deutsches Theatre said a female African-American character in the play was being performed by a white actress and producers would “experiment with make-up”.
In a letter to the Dramatists Guild, US playwright Bruce Norris said he was taking a “zero tolerance position” on what he termed an “asinine tradition”.
“Normally I don’t meddle in the cultural politics of other countries,” wrote Norris “but when my work and the work of my colleagues — other playwrights — is misrepresented, I do. A zero-tolerance position is the only position to take.”
—
BBC News - Author fury at blackface casting at German theatre
The second paragraph has been falsely translated. What it actually says is, “Managers at the Deutsches Theater have admitted to being a bunch of dumb fucks.”
In any case, well done Bruce Norris!
