Theatre cast faces racism and homophobia in Chichester

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

Actor and comedian Munya Chawawa described widespread racism, xenophobia and homophobia during a six-week run of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Actor and comedian Munya Chawawa described facing widespread racism, xenophobia and homophobia during a six-week run of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre. A performance was cancelled at the last minute on 13 October after a company member was pursued and subjected to a homophobic assault in the city centre. Chawawa warned the assault was 'just the tip of the iceberg' and spoke of a '24-7 pipeline of hatred' affecting communities. 'For some of us Chichester was a real struggle,' he said. 'I don't know if I have witnessed and/or experienced as much racism, xenophobia and homophobia as I saw in those six weeks.'

Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller said she had been 'incredibly saddened to hear about the experiences of the cast' while performing in the city. 'The incidents Munya describes, including homophobic, racist and xenophobic abuse on our streets, are truly disgusting,' Mrs Brown-Fuller said. She acknowledged the views did not represent the majority of people in Chichester but pointed to 'wider, society-wide failings'. 'What we need is a society-wide, cross-agency approach to tackling both the root causes of this behaviour and how it is policed.' The abuse was also condemned by Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism.

How it is being reported

• 'Disgusting' abuse of theatre cast members condemned following homophobic attackThe reaction follows statements from actor and comedian Munya Chawawa, who described facing widespread racism and homophobia during a six-week run of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Chichester Festival Theatre.The Argus · 20 Oct, 17:37
• ‘Chichester was a real struggle’: Munya Chawawa speaks out over 'abysmal' racist and homophobic abuse in SussexMunya Chawawa has described racism, xenophobia and homophobia during his time performing in Chichester, saying an attack that forced the cancellation of a show was ’just the tip of the iceberg’.Chichester Observer · 20 Oct, 08:23

In this story: Munya Chawawa · Chichester Festival Theatre · Jess Brown-Fuller · Chichester · Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism

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