The Jamie Lloyd Company has hit back after its 'Romeo & Juliet' play has been the subject of racial abuse aimed at an unnamed cast member.

The Jamie Lloyd Company has hit back after its production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” has been the subject of what they call a “barrage of deplorable racial abuse” aimed at an unnamed cast member.

The play, directed by Jamie Lloyd (“Sunset Boulevard”), stars “Spider-Man: No Way Home” star Tom Holland as Romeo and Francesca Amewaduh-Rivers (“Sex Education”) as Juliet.

On Friday, the Jamie Lloyd Company issued a statement, saying: “Following the announcement of our ‘Romeo & Juliet’ cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop.”

  • BleatingZombie@lemmy.world
    2626·
    8 months ago

    A story about a grown man loving a little girl? That’s fine. Make one of them have a different skin color than me and hoo boy do we have a problem (/s)

    • desconectado@lemm.ee
      222·
      8 months ago

      I thought Romeo was a teenager too? I mean, the difference in age should be around 3 years they are supposed to be 13 and 16, although the age of Romeo is really never specified, I wouldn’t say it’s that problematic.

      I find Anakin and Padme, or Bella and Edward more problematic, and there’s not much outrage for those.

      • hessenjunge@discuss.tchncs.de
        14·
        8 months ago

        I took the time to google the claim and it’s bullshit.

        One of the source materials of Shakespeare mentions his soft skin and lack of facial hair which would mean he’s younger than 15.

        I would stick with the original play: Shakespeare died not mention his age but he is acting less mature than Juliet.

        • RatBin@lemmy.world
          1·
          8 months ago

          They’re both young. Aa for his acting, it is the one of a lovesick person, it doesn’t mean lack of maturity.

            • RatBin@lemmy.world
              1·
              8 months ago

              By the way, I have seen this eternal love story portrayed ny gnomes (Gnomeo and Juliet or something like this - good movie BTW) so as far as the roles are respected, we could have this portrayed by ants.

      • Gabu@lemmy.world
        2·
        8 months ago

        Padme is 6 years older than Anakin, and only just. I suppose the image of Episode I stuck in people’s mind, but they only started dating when Anakin was in his late teens.