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Post by londonpostie on Sept 30, 2019 10:01:09 GMT
So the idea from Curve and for her, was to play this as a self-hating gay character?
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Post by kathryn on Sept 30, 2019 10:05:25 GMT
Who knows what was going on in her head - the fact that she decided to audition for the role is entirely baffling, when the ethos of the show is so clearly opposed to her beliefs.
If she hadn't made those beliefs clear to cast mates in the past it wouldn't have been an issue. If she'd responded to the situation by telling the people at the Curve that her beliefs had evolved and changed then I suspect there also wouldn't be an issue and we'd be reading a quite different story.
That's not what happened, though.
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Post by duncan on Sept 30, 2019 10:39:14 GMT
Who knows what was going on in her head - the fact that she decided to audition for the role is entirely baffling, when the ethos of the show is so clearly opposed to her beliefs. For a lot of people beliefs take a step backwards when its a choice between what you believe in or putting food on the table and paying the bills.
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Post by stevemar on Sept 30, 2019 11:29:35 GMT
Going slightly off topic, I thought this story from the BBC relating to religion and a Bake Off contestant may be of interest. www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49878297How disappointing (but predictable) that religion is used as a reason to justify the beliefs of the writer. On the positive side, the Bake off contestant actually points to his religion as one of the reasons he felt able to come out and challenge stereotypes: "When you look at Sikhism, and what the religion teaches, it teaches equality, and it's supposed to be religion as welcoming and accepting of all people, regardless of who they are."
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 30, 2019 11:47:23 GMT
Is anyone really asking anyone to accept homosexuality though? I think it’s going to be two or three generations in the future before race, sexual orientation and gender identity will no longer be a thing in our culture, even longer in some other cultures, if ever. But I’m not bothered if people don’t like me or gay people in general, if they can’t get past whatever it is in their heads that’s causing a problem then so be it. Just don’t break the law in how you interact with me and don’t seek employment in an industry full of people you have a fundamental and deep seated problem with. Just as you wouldn’t expect a deeply committed racist to seek out a church congregation of black people. The idea of it is preposterous.
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 30, 2019 15:50:00 GMT
If she was male, maybe she might be the perfect Albin.
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Post by xanady on Sept 30, 2019 18:08:08 GMT
A bit confused...is this the original thread which discussed Seyi’s historical twitter comments that led to her leaving the role in the lacklustre Color Purple or a new thread that discusses Seyi’s historical twitter comments that led to her leaving the role in the lacklustre Color Purple?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 0:27:59 GMT
I cannot see how she can win this case, she was sacked from an all black cast so cannot play any "race card". Lots of people may have religious beliefs which may not agree with same sex relationships but they are able to moderate these views to be accepting of a totally legal action.
No one will touch her with a barge pole now. Imagine her auditioning for roles if there was an LGBT director or casting director etc, they will soon say no thanks. LGBT performers will likely not want to work with her either and I'd figure there is a hell of a lot more of them than religious bigots in the industry.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 1, 2019 5:30:47 GMT
Perhaps she knows she’s finished in the industry and just wants to get some £££ out of the situation.
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Post by Marcus on Oct 1, 2019 6:36:13 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49881027Reading through this article makes it seem like she posted one little misjudged tweet - when from what has been posted online is in reality is much more than this. I think people are becoming aware now your past online self will be used to judge you. Can't imagine what she really thought about taking on such a well known LGBTQ+ character and working in such a, for want of better word, 'gay' working environment. The arts have always traditionally been a refuge for more marginal people. Will be keeping a close eye on what happened next!
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Post by paulbrownsey on Oct 1, 2019 9:34:05 GMT
I'm completely out of touch; is it not acceptable to say homosexuality is "not right"? It's interesting for me, I'd say pretty well half the people I work with in multicultural south London would share than view - mostly African Christians and south Asian Muslims, and/or the second generations thereof. " is it not acceptable to say homosexuality is "not right"?" Might it depend on whom you say it to and in what context? Free speech doesn't mean you can say anything to anyone at any time, or that would make it OK for her to fix up a loudspeaker in my house and broadcast her views to me 24/7.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 12:17:28 GMT
I disagree strongly with what she said. But we are supposed to have freedom of speech in this country. For me, it’s a case of “I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
And if the contract didn’t cover this situation (though surely that would be unusual these days), she’s entitled to bring a case, regardless of what you think of her personally.
Frankly, I’m baffled there are so many theatre lovers out there so readily embracing thoughtcrime. Are these people now going to hound every person who doesn’t meet their woke standards out of a job? Because they’re going to be very busy!
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Post by Marcus on Oct 1, 2019 12:25:58 GMT
Freedom of speech comes with responsibility and consequences. She said many thing that had a direct impact on her job.
Also homophobia is not a thought crime it's an actual crime.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 1, 2019 12:39:48 GMT
And she didn’t just think it, she preached it via Facebook.
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Post by stagey on Oct 1, 2019 12:47:01 GMT
When I saw the comments she made, I initially didn’t hate her straight away. Of course what she said was awful but she is very talented and these comments were from years ago when she was young and probably indoctrinated with her views. However, her choice to refuse to retract these statements (which cost her the job and her career) and show that she does support the LGBT community is what makes me dislike her. If she no longer agreed with these views and had shown she has her own mind now then that’s fair enough but she obviously still stands by them. Agree it’s so so hypocritical and vile
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 14:03:22 GMT
It has been stated in the Birmingham Mail that she received a pay off when she was removed from the show, so she cannot really claim loss of earnings.
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Post by kathryn on Oct 1, 2019 15:51:27 GMT
Frankly, I’m baffled there are so many theatre lovers out there so readily embracing thoughtcrime. Are these people now going to hound every person who doesn’t meet their woke standards out of a job? Because they’re going to be very busy! She can think whatever she wants - it's expressing those thoughts and acting on those thoughts that causes problems, when they are so at odds with the industry she wants to work in and the roles she wants to play. This has only come to light because of the things she said and did and the role she wanted to play. Or we'd all be none the wiser and she'd have kept the role. The truth is, if you have religious beliefs that run very counter to the rest of the industry you work in, it's wiser to keep them to yourself. Or find another industry.
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Post by talkingheads on Oct 1, 2019 16:12:27 GMT
I disagree strongly with what she said. But we are supposed to have freedom of speech in this country. For me, it’s a case of “I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” And if the contract didn’t cover this situation (though surely that would be unusual these days), she’s entitled to bring a case, regardless of what you think of her personally. Frankly, I’m baffled there are so many theatre lovers out there so readily embracing thoughtcrime. Are these people now going to hound every person who doesn’t meet their woke standards out of a job? Because they’re going to be very busy! Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences. Saying in public her homophoboc views is not the best way for an actor or indeed anybody in the public eye to behave. Also given the amount of talented actors out there deserving of this opportunity there is no need for anyone to give any time to a homophobe
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 16:19:20 GMT
And she didn’t just think it, she preached it via Facebook. I've never been able to ascertain - was it on her own Facebook page or a response somewhere else?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 16:56:30 GMT
Frankly, I’m baffled there are so many theatre lovers out there so readily embracing thoughtcrime. Are these people now going to hound every person who doesn’t meet their woke standards out of a job? Because they’re going to be very busy! She can think whatever she wants - it's expressing those thoughts and acting on those thoughts that causes problems, when they are so at odds with the industry she wants to work in and the roles she wants to play. This has only come to light because of the things she said and did and the role she wanted to play. Or we'd all be none the wiser and she'd have kept the role. The truth is, if you have religious beliefs that run very counter to the rest of the industry you work in, it's wiser to keep them to yourself. Or find another industry. Truly 2019 is a confusing time to be alive. She's honest about her (dodgy) beliefs and is accused of hypocrisy for the line of work she's in - but being a hypocrite by lying about her (dodgy) beliefs and remaining employed would be totally fine? I just can't help but feel this was a wasted opportunity. Perhaps, by playing this character, she might have come to a deeper appreciation of people as individuals and an understanding of same-sex attraction (aka, well, just love, right?). Instead she was publicly challenged, predictably dug her heels in, and lost the opportunity. Imagine if the guy from Hamilton had instead spoken to her personally and at length. What might have happened? I've been listening to Alan Alda's podcast about communication a lot recently - so many examples of guests on there who used to preach hate or work with people who did/do, and the common thread among them all is 'people who were entitled to hate the people who hated them actually talked to them, listened to them, found common ground and changed them as a person'. I fear the chances of this happening via social media these days are vanishingly small. But it's to everyone's detriment.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Oct 1, 2019 20:16:51 GMT
I honestly decry the state of modern education that has led so many intelligent people to believe “freedom of speech” to mean the right to do and say absolutely anything you want without any consequences (or sometimes even without disagreement).
Omooba was fired first because she outspoken about a belief system that was diametrically opposed to the production’s core values (a bit like a vegan activist complaining about being fired from the Meat Marketing Board) and second - allegedly - because her comments in rehearsals created a hostile working environment for her co-workers. Freedom of speech simply does not come into it.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Oct 2, 2019 7:58:14 GMT
She was interviewed just now on The Today Programme and i was a bit aghast. She stood by everything she posted on facebook, was brazenly homophobic, bizarrely stated she didn't accept that Celie was an LGBT role and wasn't going to play her as such and then said she couldn't understand why she was removed from the production.....i mean....?
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Post by oxfordsimon on Oct 2, 2019 8:08:25 GMT
She was interviewed just now on The Today Programme and i was a bit aghast. She stood by everything she posted on facebook, was brazenly homophobic, bizarrely stated she didn't accept that Celie was an LGBT role and wasn't going to play her as such and then said she couldn't understand why she was removed from the production.....i mean....? It distresses me that the bigot is getting such media coverage for this stunt. She is - by the sounds of it - making it worse for herself. But that is a side issue. She should not be given space to express these hateful views. They are not protected by law. The BBC should know better.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 2, 2019 8:09:23 GMT
She was interviewed just now on The Today Programme and i was a bit aghast. She stood by everything she posted on facebook, was brazenly homophobic, bizarrely stated she didn't accept that Celie was an LGBT role and wasn't going to play her as such and then said she couldn't understand why she was removed from the production.....i mean....?
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Post by Being Alive on Oct 2, 2019 10:24:22 GMT
I can't bring myself to listen to it. But if you've read the book or the musical, you SURELY can't deny it?
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Post by oxfordsimon on Oct 2, 2019 10:26:35 GMT
She had also been in the concert version. So knew the show.
She is just lying to get money and attention
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 2, 2019 10:34:11 GMT
What line did Today take in response?
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Post by kathryn on Oct 2, 2019 11:09:27 GMT
She can think whatever she wants - it's expressing those thoughts and acting on those thoughts that causes problems, when they are so at odds with the industry she wants to work in and the roles she wants to play. This has only come to light because of the things she said and did and the role she wanted to play. Or we'd all be none the wiser and she'd have kept the role. The truth is, if you have religious beliefs that run very counter to the rest of the industry you work in, it's wiser to keep them to yourself. Or find another industry. Truly 2019 is a confusing time to be alive. She's honest about her (dodgy) beliefs and is accused of hypocrisy for the line of work she's in - but being a hypocrite by lying about her (dodgy) beliefs and remaining employed would be totally fine? I just can't help but feel this was a wasted opportunity. Perhaps, by playing this character, she might have come to a deeper appreciation of people as individuals and an understanding of same-sex attraction (aka, well, just love, right?). Instead she was publicly challenged, predictably dug her heels in, and lost the opportunity. Imagine if the guy from Hamilton had instead spoken to her personally and at length. What might have happened? I've been listening to Alan Alda's podcast about communication a lot recently - so many examples of guests on there who used to preach hate or work with people who did/do, and the common thread among them all is 'people who were entitled to hate the people who hated them actually talked to them, listened to them, found common ground and changed them as a person'. I fear the chances of this happening via social media these days are vanishingly small. But it's to everyone's detriment. In principle I don't disagree with you at all - social change is all about persuading the people who disagree with you to change their minds, and the best way to do that is via dialogue and persuasion. I was initially very much in the 'benefit of the doubt' camp, thinking that taking the role may have indicated a potential change of heart. But sometimes social change also requires drawing a line in the sand and making it clear what is no longer acceptable, and now that we have reached the point of a court case, that is where we are on this one. You can't dialogue your way out of the fact that she believes she is perfectly entitled to play a gay character as not-gay because she thinks being gay is wrong, and was sacked because that made her a) actually unsuitable for the role b) created a hostile working environment for her co-workers. She apparently had a history of bringing her homophobic views into the workplace and had previously slid on by with the benefit of the doubt, but this situation reached the limit of that. We may not think that hypocrisy is a particularly admirable character trait, but when it comes to practical day-to-day life and work it is far preferable to be a hypocrite and keep one's personal views quiet in order to get on with your co-workers than to loudly proclaim one's views and commit a hate crime. Again: she didn't have to audition for the role. She didn't have to work in musical theatre. If your desired career conflicts that much with your core beliefs, you can either change your core beliefs, change your desired career, or be a hypocrite. Them's the breaks.
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Post by xanady on Oct 2, 2019 11:28:51 GMT
She is also taking legal action against the Hippo and I read that she was offered a settlement but she doesn’t deem the situation to be about money so it is not clear in reports whether she accepted any cash or not?
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Post by sophie92 on Oct 2, 2019 11:33:08 GMT
The role is a great part regardless, so you can’t really blame someone for wanting to play it, but when the nature of the role is so against her beliefs (to the point that she evidently didn’t want to play it as written), you have to questions her motives for auditioning and accepting the role. I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of how it catapulted Cynthia Erivo to stardom.
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