More than 800 predominantly black women and non-binary actors have signed an open letter in solidarity with Francesca Ameuda-Rivers. Francesca Ameuda-Rivers was the target of online racism after she was announced to star in the new drama “Romeo and Juliet.”
Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and Marianne Jean-Baptiste are among the 883 signatories of the letter.
It reads: “Too many times, Black performers — especially Black actresses — have had to face a storm of online abuse after committing the crime of finding work on their own.”
Previously, the Jamie Lloyd Theater Company issued a statement condemning “a series of deplorable acts of racial abuse” directed at Ameuda-Rivers and said it would report further harassment.
The company, which is run by director Jamie Lloyd, said the cast of the show was announced, with Amewudah-Rivers playing Juliet and Tom Holland ) as Romeo, the abuse occurred.
Wednesday’s letter, organized by actress Enola Holmes, actress Susan Wokoma and writer Somalia Nonyé Seaton, read: “Dang dang When it was announced that Francesca Ameuda-Rivers would star in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Romeo and Juliet, many people celebrated and welcomed the news. Many of us were on social media Sending love and congratulations to our little sister – a big deal for someone so young in her career. A huge rising talent.
“But what happened next was an all-too-familiar horror that many of us visibly dark-skinned performers have experienced. The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a lovely soul is unbearable. For those who have experienced this in their own lives It’s truly embarrassing for someone so empty and sterile that they have to meddle in hateful abuse that a casting announcement for a drama could trigger such twisted and ugly abuse.”
Lynch is known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (MCU) and for playing MI6 agent Nomi in the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die. Atim is a two-Oliver Award-winning Ugandan-British actor, singer, composer and playwright who has appeared in numerous stage plays and television shows, while Jean-Baptiste is best known for her role in the 1996 film Secrets and Lies And became famous. She was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award.
The signatories welcomed the theater company’s announcement and said they hoped it would “provide unwavering emotional support for Francesca on her production journey”.
They added: “Too often, when black artists face racist or misogynistic abuse, theater companies, broadcasters, producers and streamers fail to offer any help or support. Reporting often falls on those who are being abused on their shoulders, and they were expected to promote the show.
“We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all black female performers facing this kind of abuse – we see you. We see the art you manage to create in the face of not only the pressures faced by your white colleagues, but Extra Traumatic Disorder of Misogyny. We’re excited to see you shine.”
Romeo and Juliet runs from May 11 to August 3 at the Duke of York’s Theater and marks Amewudah-Rivers’ West End debut. The actor has previously appeared in London theaters in Shakespeare’s plays “Macbeth” and “Othello” and the Sophocles tragedy “Antigone.” She also starred in two seasons of BBC’s Bad Education.
The show will also be Spider-Man star Holland’s first role at the Opry since his debut in “Billy Elliot: The Musical.”
Lloyd is known for his bold, star-led versions of classic dramas such as Faust with Kit Harington, Betrayal with Tom Hiddleston and Emilia “The Seagull” with Clark. His new musical Sunset Boulevard with Nicole Scherzinger recently had a sold-out run at London’s Savoy Theater and will transfer to Broadway in September.
Last year, Lloyd directors Taylor Russell and Papa Essiedu revived Lucy Preble’s play The Effect at the National Theater and in March at New York’s Shed Theatre.
Romeo and Juliet is billed as “a pulsing new look at Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmith, rhymer, lover and warrior”.
