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Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington is set to start in a “controversial” new West End show called Slave Play at the Noël Coward Theatre from June 29 to September 21.
The three-act production by Jerry O Harris follows three interracial couples undergoing “Antebellum Sexual Performance Therapy” as the black partner is no longer sexually attracted to their white partner.
Slave Play’s title references both historic US slavery and sexual slavery role-play. The piece focuses on themes of race, identity and sexuality in 21st century America.
Now the most Tony-nominated non-musical play in history is set to have “Black Out Nights” during its London run this summer, when theatregoers of other ethnicities will not be welcome.
On July 17 and September 17 these “BLACK OUT nights are the purposeful creation of an environment in which an all-Black-identifying audience can experience and discuss an event in the performing arts, film, athletic and cultural spaces – free from the white gaze”.
Harris introduced the concept which has been repeated by other productions for his 2019 Broadway run of Slave Play.
According to MailOnline, one senior Tory MP, who wanted to remain anonymous, commented: “I understand the subject matter of the show may have particular resonance for some but would simply question the legality of this?
‘In other circles, it would be illegal and racial discrimination. I don’t understand why this isn’t.”
This isn’t the first time theatres have called for “Black Out nights”.
In May 2023, Theatre Royal Stratford East put on a so-called Black Out night performance of Tambo & Bones on July 5.
The venue said that this was so the audience could enjoy the play “free from the white gaze” to create a “safe private” space for an “all-Black identifying audience”.
Matthew Xia, the play’s director defended the move saying it was important to create a space where black patrons could “explore complex, nuanced race-related issues.”