London play with ‘Game of Thrones’ star invites exclusively black audience

In a bold move to foster inclusivity and provide a safe space for black audiences, a London play featuring Kit Harrington from “Game of Thrones” is set to host two special performances exclusively for black individuals, termed as “Black Out nights.” The play in question, “Slave Play,” which garnered 12 Tony nominations in 2021 but clinched no awards, is scheduled to grace the stage of the Noël Coward Theatre in London’s renowned West End from June 29 to September 21.

The decision to designate specific performances for black attendees aims to create an environment where individuals from the black community can experience the production “free from the white gaze,” as articulated by the theater. The term “Black Out nights” signifies a deliberate effort to curate a space where black audience members can engage with the performance and subsequent discussions within the realm of performing arts, film, athletics, and cultural spheres without the pervasive presence of the white perspective.

However, this initiative has not been without its share of controversy. The office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement expressing concerns regarding the potential divisiveness and legality of restricting audience members based on race, particularly in venues that receive public funding. Some members of Parliament have echoed these sentiments, questioning the legality of such exclusivity and labeling it as potential racial discrimination.

In response to the criticisms, the play’s producers have emphasized their commitment to ensuring accessibility to theater for all individuals. They clarify that while the concept of Black Out nights originated from the Broadway production, they are actively exploring ways to incorporate this initiative into their London run, while also assuring that no one will be barred from attending any performance of “Slave Play.”

Playwright Jeremy O. Harris, the creative force behind “Slave Play,” passionately defends the necessity of radical inclusion in traditionally exclusive spaces like theater. He underscores the importance of extending invitations to marginalized communities, such as black and brown individuals, who have historically been made to feel unwelcome within these environments. Harris contends that initiatives like Black Out nights serve as a crucial gesture of acknowledgment and affirmation, signaling to underrepresented groups that they belong and are valued within the theatrical landscape.

The play itself delves into the complexities of modern-day interracial relationships, with a focus on three couples who grapple with tensions and attempt to address them through “antebellum sexual-performance therapy.” The narrative explores themes of race, identity, and intimacy, particularly examining how the black characters navigate their relationships with their white partners amidst societal and historical dynamics. Through racially-charged sexual roleplaying, the characters seek to reclaim pleasure and confront the complexities of desire within the context of power and privilege.

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Samwell Tarly, Theon Greyjoy, Ygritte, Margaery Tyrell, Stannis Baratheon