Academic
Draft 3


A recent uproar was sparked when a comment was publicly made by a member of the British National Party (BNP) on the BNP website. A debate struck on the BNP website after serious allegations where made towards ChickenShed theatre, about them handing out visas to foreign students without going through proper procedures. [1] Despite this being false information the BNP got hold of this, which initiated a heated debate on the BNP websites chat room. [1] Leading one individual into a rant about immigration, and also commenting on ChickenShed Theatre Company saying “And ChickenShed Theatre are running a black Pinocchio for Christmas!” Insinuating that having a black actor play the part of Pinocchio in this years Christmas show, to be some sort of joke. This comment left me asking the question, is this just prejudice racism? Or does the colour of Pinocchio’s skin affect the shows performance or the audience’s interpretation of the story?


Putting my own views and thoughts on the matter to one side, I tried to see why people would think any different to my own views. Whilst researching racism in the theatre, I came across a very interesting article written by Ruth Rendell a reporter for the BBC. [2] In the article it states that 88% of black performers in the England are subjected to some form of racist abuse. The one conclusion that I came to was people don’t like to see something they already know interpreted differently. For instance certain people don’t like seeing afro-Caribbean actors playing characters traditionally intended for white actors. I believe that in some people’s cases, that they have seen a version of Pinocchio, for example Walt Disney’s, and believe that every Pinocchio should be interpreted exactly the same.


However my opinion on the matter is that having a black Pinocchio instead of a white Pinocchio does not affect the performance in any way. The story of Pinocchio is however an Italian story, does this mean that every version of Pinocchio should be played by an Italian actor? In my professional opinion this is a ludicrous way in thinking. If we do not alter and interpret things differently to others, how will we ever create unique and enervative theatre? I believe the performance quality is due to the actor and not the colour of the actor’s skin. ChickenShed interpretation of the story is different to Walt Disney’s as well as the colour of the puppet, yet why did this not spark a debate? Leading me to the conclusion, in my opinion, that the issue of Pinocchio being played by a black actor instead of the traditional white actor, was a truly racist and prejudice way in thinking.

ChickenShed Theatre is known for their work in inclusion. As well as integrating people’s different abilities, this also goes for integrating race and religion. No one is excluded from performing at ChickenShed Theatre, especially not for their colour of their skin. In conclusion I finish off with the vision and values of ChickenShed, in hope that people with these prejudice views will one day broaden their way in thinking:

“Our Inclusive creative process values all our members as equals. It’s the way we run our theatre company, our youth workshops, our outreach programs and our education programmes. And one day that will be the way the world thinks. That’s our vision.” ChickenShed. [3]

[1] British nation party website article and comments made by members December 2009 http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:_-ct4KuqBdwJ:bnp.org.uk/2009/12/government%E2%80%99s-own-immigration-advisor-warns-that-%E2%80%9Cpoints-based-immigration%E2%80%9D-is-a-hoax/+bnp+professer+metcalf&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

[2] BBC news article by Ruth Rendell 31st October 2002 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2380493.stm

[3] ChickenShed Theatre company Website http://www.chickenshed.org.uk/about/main

Other source
Letter from Paul Morrall director of outreach and education, addressed to Professor Metcalf.