In a recent development, the planned "Black Out" performances of Jeremy O. Harris' acclaimed play, "Slave Play," in London's West End have come under scrutiny from the office of UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The controversy arose over the intended exclusion of non-Black attendees during these specific performances.

The "Black Out" nights, scheduled for July 17 and September 17, are aims to create an environment where only individuals identifying as Black can experience and discuss the artwork, free from the so-called "white gaze." However, the prime minister's office has expressed concerns about the exclusionary nature of these events.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sunak stated that he strongly believes in an inclusive and open arts community, particularly for venues that receive public funding. The reports about the proposed "Black Out" performance have raised issues of potential division and discrimination based on race, which the government finds unacceptable.

The spokesperson further emphasized that supporting the arts and ensuring accessibility for all is a fundamental principle. This principle becomes particularly relevant when taxpayer money is involved in the funding of these venues and productions.

"Slave Play," which is set to transfer from Broadway, is scheduled to run from June 29 to September 21 at the Noël Coward Theatre, which is part of the privately owned Delfont Mackintosh Theatre group. The idea of "Black Out" nights is not entirely new to London, as similar performances have been organized in the past for plays like "Daddy" by Jeremy O. Harris and "Tambo & Bones."

The producers of "Slave Play" released a statement acknowledging the controversy surrounding the proposed "Black Out" nights. They expressed their commitment to increasing accessibility to theater for everyone and their intention to carefully consider how to incorporate this initiative into two performances during the 13-week run. They assured the public that no one would be barred from attending any performance of "Slave Play."

Further details regarding the "Black Out" nights are expected to be released soon, as the producers work towards finding a solution that satisfies both the goal of creating a supportive environment for Black audiences and the expectations of inclusivity for all theatergoers.