Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
TEZO Men's Casual Active Tracksuits Buy Now
ETRONIK Gym & Travel Bag Buy Now
Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort Jeans Buy Now
Water Sports Shoes for Men and Women Buy Now
Thigh Trimmers: Fat Reduction & Cellulite Buy Now
Hanes Women's V-Neck Tee Buy Now
Men’s Premium Skin Care Kit Buy Now
Anne Klein Watch Buy Now
SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 Ultra Cell Phone Buy Now
Stretchy Straight Leg Dress Work Pants Buy Now
Workout Running Shorts Buy Now
Two-Button Tweed Sport Coat Buy Now
Women's Boho Palazzo Pants Buy Now
Men's Knit Cardigan Buy Now
OPOVE M3 Pro 2 Massage Gun Buy Now
COOFANDY Waffle Knit Hoodie Buy Now
100 Simple Healthy Recipes Buy Now
Classic Quartz Resin Casual Watch Buy Now
5-Pack Dry Fit T-Shirts Buy Now
Superior Milford Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Black actors in London, Ont., slam Palace Theatre's white casting for Little Shop of Horrors production

Black actors in London, Ont., slam Palace Theatre's white casting for Little Shop of Horrors production

CBC
Thursday, January 9, 2025 4:34 PM GMT

Artists in London, Ont., are denouncing a local community theatre for not casting Black actors in the roles of a singer trio of Black women in its adaptation of a 1980s horror-comedy musical film. 

Community members immediately criticized Palace Theatre's cast announcement for its upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors for lack of diversity, specifically for the roles of Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon — three Black street urchins named after popular girl groups from the 1960s — integral to the movie's plot.  

"Something that's been lost in this casting is the understanding that these three characters are rooted in the Black experience," said Kih Becke, an actor from London who will play Crystal in Neptune Theatre's production of the same play in Halifax starting in March.

"There are context clues that tell you the characters are Black and they're named after three iconic Black girl groups. In this particular production, [at Palace Theatre] the roles are being played by white actors and it's incredibly unfair and harmful to the Black community as a whole."

The theatre's executive director Melissa Parker said she takes full responsibility for the Black community feeling let down and her team will work diligently to regain their trust. No Black actors auditioned for those roles, she said, adding that the theatre didn't make extra efforts to diversify its search. 

"We want to be doing the most in terms of inclusion within the theatre community. We want to be that safe space for people where everyone could celebrate theatre," Parker told CBC News. 

"Because we are a community theatre, we focus on the London community but what we learned from this opportunity is that we should have made more of a concerted effort to reach out to key groups for the demographics we want in this show."

While not a direct part of the 1986 cult classic's storyline, the three women appear as a Greek chorus in every song and sing directly to the audience in a narrative style using using African-American Vernacular English. 

Continuing to put the production on, despite the lack of Black actors, dodges accountability, Becke said. She compared her own recent experience auditioning for the play in Halifax and said the artistic team showed great care in their approach to the three characters. 

The Palace missed the mark on create opportunities for diverse groups and should reflect on why Black actors didn't audition for the play, said Alexandra Kane, a music director and head of London's Black Lives Matter chapter.  

"It was hurtful, harmful, disrespectful and just completely tone deaf. It's tough to get everybody that you want to see in an audition, speaking as a music director. But to solve those issues we call around, we look for what we need to fill roles," said Kane.

"We don't just say 'Oh well, nobody else came so this is what we have.' We don't just settle, if you're committed to it then you make it a priority and make sure it happens."

The message sent is that Black actors are replaceable and their voice don't matter, Kane said. Including marginalized voices on artistic teams can help cast and crew members from various communities feel represented, Kane and Becke said. 

The theatre will look for actors from other regions in the future, Parker said. Her team will receive more diversity, equity and inclusion training and will listen to community feedback to ensure staff and guests feel included, she said. 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Snow Lake put on evacuation alert as northwestern Manitoba wildfire threatens town

The rapid growth of a massive wildfire in northwestern Manitoba has put yet another threatened community on alert.

B.C. port foremen's union and employers ratify 4-year deal

Maritime employers in British Columbia and the union representing port foremen say they have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, after a dispute that saw workers locked out of container terminals last year.

Oilers beat Panthers 4-3 in OT in Game 1 of Stanley Cup rematch

The Edmonton Oilers won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers Wednesday after Leon Draisaitl netted his second of the night with 31 seconds remaining in overtime on a setup from Connor McDavid.

Health P.E.I., McMaster University partner to fast-track international medical graduates

Health P.E.I. is collaborating with McMaster University in Ontario to help fast-track foreign-trained physicians become licenced work on the Island.

AESO proposes short-term limit on power new large-load data centres amid Alberta's unprecedented demand

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is introducing temporary limit on how many new data centres can be added to the electrical grid, as the province experiences un unprecedented surge of project proposals.

Officials expect 'significant wildfire growth' at blaze on B.C.-Alta. border

Officials in British Columbia are warning of dangerous conditions for a raging wildfire on the B.C.-Alberta border in northeastern B.C., which has already resulted in evacuation orders.

Yukon gov't sets new goals for student happiness and well-being in 10-year plan

A new 10-year education strategy being introduced in Yukon schools next year will test students' happiness, confidence and connection to the land, though the metric for measuring those goals haven't been shared yet.

Marc Garneau, 1st Canadian astronaut in space, dead at age 76

Former astronaut and cabinet minister Marc Garneau has died. He was 76.

'So shocking': Murder trial begins for man accused of killing 2nd sex worker in 14 years

It's been a decade since Kathryn Furlan sat alone in the gallery of a Calgary courtroom but she returned Wednesday to bear witness, as the man who killed her daughter goes on trial a second time, once again accused of murdering a vulnerable woman he'd just met.

Ontario passes controversial mining law as Doug Ford warns against blockades

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance.

N.W.T. man charged with assault after weekend incident in Fort Smith

An N.W.T. man has been arrested and charged in connection with a reported assault in Fort Smith over the weekend. 

NDP to vote against throne speech, forcing Liberals to find support elsewhere

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says his party will be voting against the government's throne speech, meaning the Liberals will need to get support from another opposition party to survive the confidence vote.

Doctors warn of 'frightening' measles complication that can strike a decade after initial infection

As Alberta's measles case counts soar, doctors and scientists are warning parents about the long-term and lesser-known complications of measles.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Mystery leak that forced Scarborough family from home spreads as city continues to investigate

A mystery leak that's forced a Scarborough family from their home for the past month appears to be spreading. 

Small but 'life-changing' policy helps Parkinson's patients who need emergency care at Guelph's hospital

When people go to the emergency department, they're not allowed to take their own medications while they wait, which Theresa Daly says can be a huge problem for people with Parkinson's.

UPEI food bank prepares for surge in use with tuition hike set for upcoming academic year

The University of Prince Edward Island's food bank is bracing for what a fall tuition increase could mean for the students who use the service. 

Yukon launches its 1st-ever family medicine residency program

The Yukon is launching its first-ever medical residency program.

Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax reform bill could cost Canadians billions

A small, obscure section buried in U.S. President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cost Canadians and Canadian companies billions of dollars, CBC News has learned.

Albertans for Carney? They're as impressed with new PM as they are with Poilievre: poll

EDITOR'S NOTE: CBC News commissioned this public opinion research to be conducted immediately following the federal election and leading into the second anniversary of the United Conservative Party's provincial election win in May 2023. 

Demand for water bombers has 'skyrocketed' as Canada grapples with more intense wildfires

As Canada is again dealing with massive wildfires, the increasing severity of the natural disasters is having the knock-on effect of spiking the demand for water bomber planes — and it will be years before Canada gets its hands on a new one.

GTA mom questions how non-verbal child was able to board bus, GO train alone

Valerie Loewen panicked when she woke in early April to find her 9-year-old son William had left their Milton, Ont., house by himself.

Can roundabouts help reduce crashes at rural intersections?

Twice in the past two weeks, the scenic country roads outside of London have been the scene of fatal vehicle collisions. 

No public trust without police oversight board, says First Voice

Public confidence in police accountability is down, especially among Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Scammers attempting to cash in on missing Sullivan kids case: SAR group

A Halifax search team warned Tuesday that "fraudulent individuals and organizations" are impersonating them and asking for money under the guise of trying to find Lilly and Jack Sullivan, the two Pictou County children who have been missing since May 2.

Man found guilty of manslaughter in Moncton casino manager's death

A Moncton jury found Michael Glaspy guilty Wednesday of manslaughter in the death of a casino manager who was fatally assaulted on the job two years ago.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us