The suppliers of the West End’s multicultural arranging of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, starring Spider- Guy actor Tom Holland, have condemned what they call “deplorable cultural victimization” aimed at actress , Francesca Amewudah- Rivers, who plays Juliet.
The Jamie Lloyd Company  stated in a statement released last year that there had been” a barrage of appalling racist abuse directed at a member of the company.”
” This must stop”, the company said. ” We are working with a amazing group of artists. They are free to work without fear of online abuse, we say. At all costs, we may continue to support and protect everyone at our business. Any misuse will be reported and never tolerated. Cyberbullying and harassment have no position online, in our business or in our wider areas”.
The production of” Romeo &, Juliet” starring Francesca Amewaduh- Rivers is facing” a storm of appalling cultural misuse online directed at a part of our business,” according to the production company. ” This must stop”. https ://t.co/r7M8j7SFAS
— Variety ( @Variety ) April 5, 2024
Romeo and Juliet, which is set to open in May at London’s Duke of York Theatre, features a white Romeo ( Tom Holland ) and a black Juliet ( Francesca Amewudah- Rivers ). Additionally, there are players of all races in the supporting cast.
Directors Jamie Lloyd generally use little units and actors in modern outfits to set up his productions in an abstract and post-modern manner.
Much of the website backlash appears focused on the level of desirability of , actress , Francesca Amewudah- Streams, with some claiming that she is not in the same category as Tom Holland.
A multicultural put has been present in several high-profile productions of the Shakespeare tragedy.
A 2013 Broadway staging also featured a white Romeo ( Orlando Bloom ) and a black Juliet ( Condola Rashad ). No notable virtual outcry against the cast was generated by that production.
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