Following the recent announcement of the cast for the upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet at the Duke of York Theatre in London's West End, the theater has released a statement denouncing the "deplorable" racist abuse that the cast members, particularly Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, have faced online.

In a powerful statement shared today by The Duke of York on X, but attributed to The Jamie Lloyd Company, the theater expressed their strong support for the cast and their determination to protect them from any form of harassment. The statement highlighted the barrage of racist abuse that the company has been subjected to, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated and will be reported.

The theater called for an end to bullying and harassment both online and within the entertainment industry and wider communities. They emphasized that their rehearsal room is a space filled with joy, compassion, and kindness, highlighting the extraordinary talent of the cast and their collaborators.

Romeo & Juliet, which will feature Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet alongside Tom Holland as Romeo, is set to open on Thursday, May 23 at the Duke of York's Theatre. Previews for the production will begin on Saturday, May 11, with the show running until Saturday, August 3.

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, a newcomer of color, has already made a name for herself through her appearances in two seasons of the BBC series Bad Education and three short films. Her stage experience includes performances at prestigious venues such as the Globe and Lyric Hammersmith.

Joining Amewudah-Rivers in the highly anticipated production are Freema Agyeman as Nurse, Michael Balogun as Friar, Tomiwa Edun as Capulet, Mia Jerome as Montague, Daniel Quinn-Toye as Paris, Ray Sesay as Tybalt, Nima Taleghani as Benvolio, and Joshua-Alexander Williams as Mercutio. Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer will serve as camera operators.

The Duke of York Theatre's statement serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for artists to express their creativity. It reinforces the theater's commitment to supporting and protecting their cast and crew members, sending a clear message that racism has no place in the industry or society at large.

As the production gears up for its opening night, theater enthusiasts and advocates for diversity eagerly await the opportunity to witness a new interpretation of Shakespeare's timeless classic, Romeo & Juliet.