Actor describes racism during Chichester theatre run

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre faced racism, xenophobia and homophobia during a six-week run, actor Munya Chawawa has said.

Munya Chawawa, a 33-year-old actor and comedian from Norwich, has described the difficulties he and the rest of the cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre faced during a six-week run in the city. He said on social media: 'I don't know if I have witnessed and/or experienced as much racism, xenophobia and homophobia as I saw in those six weeks. I think I saw more in those six weeks than I have seen in my entire lifetime.'

Chawawa detailed specific incidents including students from the BRIT School being shouted at from a passing car, a boy on a bike using a racial slur to address visitors, and a group of friends being followed to their hotel whilst being chanted at. He said the cast initially tried to find humour in their experiences 'as a coping mechanism, being stared at in the street, watched, followed by people's gaze.'

One performance was cancelled at the last minute on 13 October after a cast member was assaulted just hours before the show. The theatre said the cast member was 'physically pursued' through the centre of Chichester in an 'appallingly abusive attack'. Chawawa described the cancellation as 'just the tip of the iceberg' of the problems the cast encountered.

How it is being reported

• Actor from Norwich describes 'abysmal racism' he faced during six-week theatre runThe cast of a theatre production faced "racism, xenophobia and homophobia" during its six-week run, Munya Chawawa has clamed.Eastern Daily Press · 21 Oct, 14:43
• Actor from Norwich describes 'abysmal racism' he faced during six-week theatre runThe cast of a theatre production faced "racism, xenophobia and homophobia" during its six-week run, Munya Chawawa has clamed.Norwich Evening News · 21 Oct, 14:43

In this story: Munya Chawawa · Chichester Festival Theatre · Chichester · BRIT School · Norwich

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