Chelmsford Theatre Workshop in race row over 'blacked up Othello'

Racism row: Actor Mark Tree posted this image on-line with the caption 'now I can lastly play Othello'

An beginner dramatics society is on the centre of a racism row over a photograph of a 'blacked up' actor with the caption 'now I can lastly play Othello'.

The picture was uploaded by Mark Tree, 36, onto his Fb web page and reveals him pouting his lips whereas his face is roofed in 'blackface' make-up.

Mr Tree, from Orpington, London, captioned it 'now I can lastly play Othello', a reference to the black lead character of Shakespeare's play of the identical identify.

A lady who's a member of Essex-based Chelmsford Theatre Workshop which Mr Tree was additionally belonged to, mentioned: 'Ooh, blackface, lol.'

One other lady, who complained concerning the photograph, mentioned: 'Everyone knows that the backlash in opposition to blackface has been properly reported and it's a actual disgrace to see that the message hasn't filtered by to such an necessary a part of Chelmsford's cultural life.

'It's the actions of a minority like this that see Chelmsford and wider Essex branded with the stereotype of provincial bigotry, one thing I am positive most of us are eager to shake. That begins with holding our cultural establishments to account.

'Theatre has all the time been an necessary house for liberal voices, the exploring of identification, and a house for individuals who society misunderstood, misrepresented, or discriminated in opposition to.

'Theatre must be a protected and inclusive house - however how can it's when you've got folks like this making and appearing in reveals?'

Apology: Chelmsford Theatre Workshop, which frequently performs on the Outdated Courtroom Theatre (pictured), has apologised and says it's reviewing its social media coverage

Barry Taylor, inventive director for the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop (CTW), mentioned: 'With regard to current posts added by a 3rd occasion to the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop web page concerning obvious racism, the committee wish to state that racism is unacceptable in any theatre and doesn't condone its members making racist feedback.

'The initiator of this matter posted on their very own web page not realising or intending that this could be seen to characterize the views of CTW.

'Now we have spoken with this particular person and so they made an unconditional apology.

'In dialogue they said they realised their error of judgement and instantly eliminated the put up from their very own web page.

'CTW prolong their very own apology for this incident and in mild of this, the committee shall be reviewing our membership coverage and are contemplating the introduction of a social media protocol.'

Mr Tree's apology states: 'I wish to supply my most honest and profound apologies for the offence brought on by my Fb profile image; it was not meant to trigger offence in any approach.

'The make-up I used to be sporting was not meant to characterize ethnicity of any form and the unique use of the make-up was for a venture wholly unrelated to the prejudicial or racial points it raised.'

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