Panto hits back at complaint about black cast
Producer pens open letter after local says there are 'too many black people' in production of Sleeping Beauty
A pantomime production has hit back at a local resident who complained there were "too many black people" in the cast.
A man known only as "Mr Smith from somewhere in Sevenoaks", phoned the Stag Theatre in Kent to complain about this year's production of Sleeping Beauty, which features famous faces such as EastEnders star Ricky Norwood and hit girl group Cleopatra.
"Mr Smith" claimed the cast "is not representative of Sevenoaks".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, producer Jamie Wilson, who runs the pantomime, was having none of it – and penned a lively open letter in response.
"How many black people is too many?" he asked. "But now you've got us thinking, and we need some advice. Is one black performer ok? Two? Is it just five that tips you over the edge?"
He wondered whether "sir" further wanted the producers to "check for homosexuals" and asked if a man wearing a dress would upset him.
In conclusion, he wrote: "Finally, I understand you told the box office you wouldn't be booking your tickets, Mr Smith. And we think that's probably for the best."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Unpasteurised milk and the American right
Under the radar Former darling of health-conscious liberal foodies is now a 'conservative culture war signal': a sign of mistrust in experts
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Government shutdown looming? Blame the border
Talking Points Democrats and Republicans say funding for immigration enforcement is the budget battle's latest sticking point. That's about all they agree on.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Conservatives have not limited their attack on reproductive rights to the US'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tonga’s tsunami: the aid effort turns political
Speed Read Efforts to help Tonga’s 105,000 residents have been beset by problems
By The Week Staff Published