Why the producers of a play about black women and Kylie Jenner don’t want white critics to slam it – as a scathing takedown of a newspaper’s decision is slammed online
- Major Media Refuses To Review Seven Methods Of Killing Kylie Jenner
- Producers of plays about black women asked for non-white critics
- Chronicle of the artistic editor accompanied by a controversial cartoon
A nasty row has erupted in theatrical circles after the producers of a new ‘woke’ play tried to ban white critics from seeing it again.
Australian producers of internationally acclaimed Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner demanded that all critics be ‘people of colour’, but The Age newspaper’s art editor refused to comply before lashing out in a fiery column .
Elizabeth Flux accused Amylia Harris and Leila Enright of “tokenism”, saying being forced to select a person of color for the job was “offensive” and “undermined” the health of the critical landscape.
The play, written by British playwright Jasmine Lee-Jones, is about two young black women reacting to the claim that the Keeping Up With the Kardashians reality star is the world’s “youngest self-made billionaire”.
Ms. Flux’s column was also accompanied by a controversial satirical cartoon depicting the show’s two main actors, Iolanthe and Chika Ikogwe.
A nasty row has erupted in Australian theatrical circles over a request not to send white critics to review a new ‘woke’ play about black women debating Kylie Jenner (pictured)
Community theater group Stage a Change called the cartoon of the two black actors “abhorrent” and “absolutely disgusting” in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“Frankly, this article is dipped, splattered and power watered with so much fragility,” he said.
“A fragility that missed the point and grew so epically.”
Another person on social media called the image a “racist caricature” and called on Ms Flux to resign for authorizing it.
“She chose not to caricature white producers. Instead, she caricatured the black actors who are just doing their job and have nothing to do with it. To resign.’
Ms. Flux’s article told her readers why the post didn’t contain any reviews of Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner.
The Age published a cartoon depicting the two lead actors of Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Iolanthe and Chika Ikogwe, which was described as “a racist cartoon”.
“It’s not because we didn’t want to cover it, it’s because the producers refused to ‘accommodate’ any critic who wasn’t a person of color (PoC).”
Ms Flux wrote that she agreed with the goal of increasing diversity among critics, but that the show’s request was “an ill-advised decision”.
‘[It] promotes symbolism, undermines the health of the critical landscape, and does a disservice to critics, creatives, and audiences alike.
But his column went further to explain his decision.
“Actively seeking someone to review this production based on it being a PoC would have been offensive,” Ms. Flux wrote.
Elizabeth Flux (pictured), accused the play’s producers Amylia Harris and Leila Enright of ‘symbolism’ in a fiery column for The Age
She also added that it was “ridiculous and potentially dangerous” that critics would have to disclose their race to do a job.
Ms Flux, who described herself as “a Hong Kong-born Eurasian who grew up in Australia”, also pointed out that neither of the two producers behind the decision were people of color.
She included a joint statement from Ms Harris and Ms Enright which read: “Our intention is not to exclude, but to take advantage of this opportunity to continue to encourage media organizations to increase representation in their teams for the benefit of artists, the public and their readership.’
A theatrical source told Daily Mail Australia there is nothing stopping a media outlet from re-watching any show if they pay for their own ticket.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Age and Elizabeth Flux for comment.
Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner appeared at the Malthouse Theater in Melbourne until January 29.
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