'Romeo & Juliet' director slams 'barrage of racial abuse' toward star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
The theater company behind the upcoming Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers-led "Romeo & Juliet" play in London is speaking out after the lead actress faced "a barrage of racial abuse online."
"This must stop," The Jamie Lloyd Company wrote in a lengthy statement shared across social media on Friday. "We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment. We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs."
Amewudah-Rivers has faced an onslaught of bullying online and in her comments section, ranging from racism to colorism to featurism for her casting opposite Holland after The James Lloyd Company announced the full cast on March 28.
The Jamie Lloyd theater company continued: "Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported. Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities."
"We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators. The 'Romeo & Juliet' community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love, and focus on the creation of our production," the statement concluded.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Amewudah-Rivers.
Halle Bailey faced similar vitriol for her role as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," with debates about the accuracy of casting Bailey – a Black woman – in the role of Ariel, who appeared as a light-skinned, redheaded mermaid in the 1989 animated film. Rachel Zegler also had pushback for her casting as the titular character in "Snow White" as a Latina actress portraying a princess described as "white as snow."
Over 800 Black actors sign open letter in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
"The Woman King" stars Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim, "Enola Holmes" actor Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton are among the list of over 800 British actors who signed an open letter condemning the racism faced by Amewudah-Rivers and others. The letter was published on The Guardian Wednesday.
Wokoma and Seaton organized the effort, per the outlet.
"The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear. For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse," the letter reads in part. "Too many times Black performers - particularly Black actresses - are left to face the storm of online abuse after committing the crime of getting a job on their own.
"We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all Black women performers who face this kind of abuse - WE see you. We see the art you manage to produce with not only the pressures that your white colleagues face but with the added traumatic hurdle of misogynoir. Those that came before you are by your side. Those waiting in the wings, are by your side," the letter continues.
The letter calls for actors facing abuse to "Allow yourself space to play and find joy in this role that your hard work and commitment has brought forth."
"We are so excited to watch you shine," the letter concludes.
What is Francesca Amewudah-Rivers known for?
Amewudah-Rivers has previously starred in William Shakespeare plays "Macbeth" and "Othello" as well as Sophocles tragedy "Antigone" across London theaters. She also starred in two seasons of "Bad Education" on BBC. Her role in "Romeo & Juliet" marks her debut in the West End, which is the London equivalent to New York City's Broadway.
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Holland shot to fame for his role as Peter Parker in three "Spider-Man" films and Marvel spin-offs. He has also shown his range in "The Devil All the Time," "The Crowded Room" and "Uncharted." This is his first time returning to the stage since he starred in "Billy Elliot: The Musical" as a child.
The Lloyd-directed "Romeo & Juliet" has also cast Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Nima Taleghani, Callum Heinrich, Kody Mortimer, Joshua-Alexander Williams and Ray Sesay.
The sold-out play is set for a limited run from May 11 to Aug. 3 at the Duke of York's Theatre in London.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Romeo & Juliet' star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers faces 'racial abuse'