ADVERTISING

Latest Photo Galleries

Signs of Tension Signs of Tension

Published on 04/11/2016

Rio: a City in Metamorphosis Rio: a City in Metamorphosis

Published on 11/19/2015

Brazilian Markets

17h30

Bovespa

+0,32% 128.106

16h43

Gold

0,00% 117

17h00

Dollar

+0,68% 5,0140

16h30

Euro

+0,49% 2,65250

ADVERTISING

São Paulo Theater Festival Cancels Controversial Play Accused of Racism

02/19/2016 - 10h34

Advertising

GUSTAVO FIORATTI
REPORTS FOR FOLHA

In December, before his controversial play Exhibit B was cancelled by the São Paulo International Theater Festival (MITsp), the organizers asked South African playwright Brett Bailey to replace it with his opera Macbeth.

Exhibit B came to international attention after protests in London and Paris in 2014. The play reinterprets the human zoos, which were popular in 19th century Europe, with actors portraying black people in a situation of oppression. Bailey insists that the play is anti-racist.

Sofie Knijff/Press Release
Exhibit B was cancelled by the São Paulo International Theater Festival (MITsp)
Exhibit B was cancelled by the São Paulo International Theater Festival (MITsp)

Afro-Brazilian groups have been threatening to boycott the play since June last year, when Bailey visited Brazil in order to choose the actors and location for a Brazilian version of the play.

By removing the play from the festival program, Bailey argues that MITsp has given in to political pressure from activists. "The play was cancelled because they were scared of bad publicity," he told Folha. "The activists put pressure on the festival sponsors to cancel it, and this pressure became overwhelming."

This version of events contradicts that of the festival organizers, who claim the play was cancelled due to lack of funds. However, they admit that they were considering replacing Exhibit B with another play.

This was met with anger with the 28 Brazilian actors selected for the play, who demanded the right to stage it. Their concerns were taken into account by the organizers.

However, organizers claim that the final decision was taken due to cuts to the festival budget and the strength of the dollar, with ten of the twenty plays initially scheduled having been cancelled.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE
Read the article in the original language

You have been successfully subscribed. Thanks!

Close

Are you interested in news from Brazil?

Subscribe to our English language newsletter, delivered to your inbox every working day, and keep up-to-date with the most important news from Brazil.

Cancel