18,774 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2019 23:22:57 GMT
Couldn’t read the Stage article. Can someone tell us what it said please?
|
|
1,186 posts
|
Post by theatrelover123 on Jan 17, 2019 23:25:44 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita.
A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part.
The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role.
Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006.
The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21.
A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.”
Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.
In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC.
Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked.
“I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter.
|
|
18,774 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2019 23:53:26 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 9:12:42 GMT
For the record, -isms are based in historical power imbalances so although it's possible to be prejudiced against white people, it's not possible to be racist against white people, in the UK and US and similar at least (obviously things get a bit more complicated when you head out to places like Finland). "Reverse racism" just ain't a thing.
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:26:07 GMT
I can understand looking for a poc specifically. That’s exactly what Hamilton does and it increases diversity. But it seems that some people associate the term ‘people of colour’ with black people only when there’s much more to it than that. "People of Colour" is such an grating Yank term. Let's not start using it in the UK too.
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:26:27 GMT
Surely for Evita, if they wish to be totally PC about the entire thing, then the entire cast including Eva herself has to be South American? There really isn't any other option.
Exactly.
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:27:34 GMT
Not a comment on this exact issue, but it's reminded me that when I was watching Sylvia at the Old Vic, I had a sudden moment when something in my head clicked and I thought Beverley Knight would make an EPIC Eva Peron. She'd sing and act the hell out of it. Spent most of the rest of the show trying to recall if any non white people have played Eva (and if so what colour was the iconic bun wig)? Anyway, cast her I say.
Bit too old for the role, but I guess that hasn't stopped other actresses.
|
|
253 posts
|
Post by No. on Jan 18, 2019 13:38:02 GMT
I can understand looking for a poc specifically. That’s exactly what Hamilton does and it increases diversity. But it seems that some people associate the term ‘people of colour’ with black people only when there’s much more to it than that. "People of Colour" is such an grating Yank term. Let's not start using it in the UK too. I’m mixed race, I think I’m entitled to use the term all I want. I’m comfortable with it and the other people of colour I know refer to themselves in that way. Just because it’s a ‘yank term’ doesn’t make it bad?
|
|
3,926 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Jan 18, 2019 14:14:59 GMT
The thing I find odd about "people of colour" is that it technically applies to everyone - white is a colour too - so I don't find it a useful term for telling races apart.
|
|
716 posts
|
Post by indis on Jan 18, 2019 14:19:53 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part. The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role. Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006. The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21. A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.” Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC. Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked. “I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter. diversity? haha good one 🙈 when no asian or white gets a chance on the lead role even if they sing it 10 times better. Lets get a black one , don’t care how she sings 🤣
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 14:26:58 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part. The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role. Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006. The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21. A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.” Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC. Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked. “I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter. diversity? haha good one 🙈 when no asian or white gets a chance on the lead role even if they sing it 10 times better. Lets get a black one , don’t care how she sings 🤣
True, and I would argue that in terms of inclusivity, British Asian actors have found far less openings and opportunities compared to African-Caribbean actors.
|
|
|
Post by mrmushnik on Jan 18, 2019 15:07:33 GMT
Surely inclusivity means casting the best person, irrespective of their ethnicity. Basically, they want a non-white actress to play Eva Peron. But can you imagine the furore if a casting breakdown went out for King, for example, asking for submissions for Martin Luther King from non-black actors only. Until that happens we not truly diverse.
|
|
5,265 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 19, 2019 9:09:59 GMT
It won’t be Beverly Knight- she’s doing Blues in the night at the Kiln with Sharon D Clarke
|
|
4,158 posts
|
Post by HereForTheatre on Jan 19, 2019 9:33:06 GMT
Sheila Atim?
|
|
5,265 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 19, 2019 10:34:15 GMT
Oh god help us. Her acting range is a bit limited.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2019 10:35:39 GMT
I like her alot, but she couldn't sing it, or I highly doubt it.
|
|
1,102 posts
|
Post by zak97 on Jan 19, 2019 10:37:46 GMT
Just give me Christine Allado (and if not in this, as Christine in Phantom).
|
|
2,731 posts
|
Post by ceebee on Jan 20, 2019 22:45:10 GMT
My money's on Mica Paris.
|
|
|
Post by stagey on Jan 20, 2019 23:19:26 GMT
Why can’t they cast somebody of Latino origin? Eva Peron was South American so get somebody of that origin to play the role.....it is rare we see Latinos playing lead roles anyway. I’m 1000% for increased diversity, but this is about a true woman. You wouldn’t have a white woman playing the leads in Tina, and rightfully so. Fictional shows like Les Mis make no difference to what race plays what part
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 21, 2019 9:52:44 GMT
My money's on Mica Paris.
Again, too old.
La Peron died at the age of 32!
|
|
1,864 posts
|
Post by distantcousin on Jan 21, 2019 9:53:40 GMT
Why can’t they cast somebody of Latino origin? Eva Peron was South American so get somebody of that origin to play the role.....it is rare we see Latinos playing lead roles anyway. I’m 1000% for increased diversity, but this is about a true woman. You wouldn’t have a white woman playing the leads in Tina, and rightfully so. Fictional shows like Les Mis make no difference to what race plays what part
They already did that in 2006 in London, so it's not like it is something radical to do that now.
We had the sensational Elena Roger.
BUT also the UK doesn't have a significant population of citizens of Latino origin - this is not New York City!
Generally stage roles have to go to British Equity members, so you are having to negotiate a whole other level of red tape if you want to install a "foreign" (esp non EU, as it currenlty stands) actor into a British production.
|
|
4,950 posts
|
Post by TallPaul on Jan 21, 2019 9:57:43 GMT
My money's on Mica Paris.
Again, too old.
La Person died at the age of 32!
And isn't she involved with the Fame tour until the end of 2019?
|
|
358 posts
|
Post by tysilio2 on Jan 21, 2019 10:29:59 GMT
Why can’t they cast somebody of Latino origin? Eva Peron was South American so get somebody of that origin to play the role.....it is rare we see Latinos playing lead roles anyway. I’m 1000% for increased diversity, but this is about a true woman. You wouldn’t have a white woman playing the leads in Tina, and rightfully so. Fictional shows like Les Mis make no difference to what race plays what part ....shhh nobody tell the producers of the WSS prom that........
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2019 10:36:08 GMT
Les Mis isn't about race though, whereas West Side Story is reasonably unambiguous about the racial divide between the two gangs. False equivalence. Evita is about a historical figure and is set in a particular country at a particular time but isn't about race at all; a black or Asian Eva should be no more controversial than Adrian Lester playing Henry V.
|
|
21 posts
|
Post by phantz on Jan 24, 2019 16:25:44 GMT
Maybe they're looking for another Scherzinger? I'd happily see her as Eva - her 'Don't Cry For Me...' on that ALW 40 years TV special was pretty damn good.
|
|
453 posts
|
Post by mistressjojo on Jan 24, 2019 22:41:23 GMT
They're holding out for Margarita Pracatan.
|
|
5,265 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 24, 2019 23:02:28 GMT
They are in final talks with Sinnitta...
|
|
1,102 posts
|
Post by zak97 on Jan 24, 2019 23:08:23 GMT
They are in final talks with Sinnitta... Because she definitely meets the age casting bracket, good one.
|
|
18,774 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 24, 2019 23:09:08 GMT
I have it on very good authority that it’s Samantha Mumba.
|
|
5,265 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 24, 2019 23:10:46 GMT
I have it on very good authority that it’s Samantha Mumba. Samantha will only do Monday Evenings. Matinees will be Caroline Flak
|
|