The Witness Podcast, Episode 3. Recently British critic Quentin Letts caused a storm by suggesting the RSC cast an actor only because he was black. Is this in fact racist criticism? (Spoiler: Yes, it is!) Is “political correctness” a thing? Can we be critically rigorous and also not bigoted? This month Team Witness – Alison Croggon, Carissa Lee and Robert Reid – dives merrily into the minefield of political correctness and freedom of speech in the arts.
Further reading:
Quentin Letts and the RSC
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/apr/08/daily-mail-quentin-letts-accused-of-racist-attitude-in-theatre-review
Wesley Enoch’s Nick Enright Speech
https://www.audreyjournal.com.au/arts/smell-the-air-the-nick-enright-inaugural-speech/
Declan Greene’s response
https://www.audreyjournal.com.au/arts/dont-underestimate-the-audience-says-declan-greene/
The Birthday Party controversy on Theatre Notes
http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/birthday-party-and-other-late-thoughts.html
http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/birthday-party-revisited.html
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