‘Homeland’s’ David Harewood Says Actors ‘Should Be Able to Do Anything’ Including Blackface — but It ‘Better Be F—ing Good’ or ‘You’re Gonna Get Laughed Off the Stage’
variety.comNaman Ramachandran “Homeland” actor David Harewood thinks that actors should be able to “Black up” for roles, but warns “it’d better be fucking good.” Speaking to The Guardian, Harewood, who also serves as president of prestigious British drama school the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, said: “We’re at this strange point in the profession where people go: ‘Oh, you can’t play that role because you’re not disabled, or you can’t play that because you’re not really from there.’ The name of the game is acting.” He added, “Yes, we’ve got to be representative, but I do think we have to be careful.
That even extends to ‘Othello’ in Blackface. I say, if you want to Black up, have at it, man. It’d better be fucking good, or else you’re gonna get laughed off the stage.
But knock yourself out. Anybody should be able to do anything.” Harewood’s comments come just a few weeks after “Star Wars” actor Billy Dee Williams told Bill Maher he believes actors should be able to perform in Blackface.
Recalling Laurence Olivier’s performance in 1965’s “Othello,” Williams said, “I thought it was hysterical. I loved it. I love that kind of stuff.” Maher noted that “today, they would never let you do that,” to which Williams replied, “Why?” “Blackface?” Maher questioned, prompting Williams to say: “Why not?
Read more on variety.com
