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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/04/theatre-job-aimed-at-black-directors-given-to-man-who-said-he-was-white
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Theatre job aimed at black directors given to man who said he was white | Theatre job aimed at black directors given to man who said he was white |
| (30 days later) | |
| A theatre director who has previously described himself as white was awarded a job designed to increase the representation of black and minority ethnic individuals in British theatre. | A theatre director who has previously described himself as white was awarded a job designed to increase the representation of black and minority ethnic individuals in British theatre. |
| Anthony Ekundayo Lennon was one of four people who won a paid, two-year, full-time residential traineeship funded with government assistance from Arts Council England. | Anthony Ekundayo Lennon was one of four people who won a paid, two-year, full-time residential traineeship funded with government assistance from Arts Council England. |
| The programme is designed to help theatre practitioners of colour establish themselves in an industry that accepts it has failed to attract a diverse workforce and is dominated by white men. | The programme is designed to help theatre practitioners of colour establish themselves in an industry that accepts it has failed to attract a diverse workforce and is dominated by white men. |
| Lennon, an actor with more than 30 years’ experience, was awarded a position with the Talawa theatre company based at the Rich Mix arts centre in Shoreditch, east London. | Lennon, an actor with more than 30 years’ experience, was awarded a position with the Talawa theatre company based at the Rich Mix arts centre in Shoreditch, east London. |
| The position was advertised as “open to people of colour” and Lennon applied as a “mixed-heritage” individual, according to the Sunday Times. | The position was advertised as “open to people of colour” and Lennon applied as a “mixed-heritage” individual, according to the Sunday Times. |
| Black history has much to reveal about our ancestors – and ourselves | Sada Mire | |
| “This programme aims to increase the representation of theatre-makers of colour at the highest level of British theatre management, influencing whole organisations from the artists to administration, the productions and the audiences,” said a press release accompanying his appointment. | “This programme aims to increase the representation of theatre-makers of colour at the highest level of British theatre management, influencing whole organisations from the artists to administration, the productions and the audiences,” said a press release accompanying his appointment. |
| “In the long term, more theatre leaders of colour will result in artistic programmes and audiences that better reflect the talent, innovation and diversity of Britain in the 21st century.” | “In the long term, more theatre leaders of colour will result in artistic programmes and audiences that better reflect the talent, innovation and diversity of Britain in the 21st century.” |
| Lennon previously discussed his identity on an episode of the BBC series Everyman broadcast in the early 1990s. | Lennon previously discussed his identity on an episode of the BBC series Everyman broadcast in the early 1990s. |
| “Anthony Lennon was born in Kilburn, west London. His parents both come from Ireland and are both indisputably white,” read a synopsis for the show. | “Anthony Lennon was born in Kilburn, west London. His parents both come from Ireland and are both indisputably white,” read a synopsis for the show. |
| 'I didn't know if I wanted to be black or white': my life between worlds | |
| “Anthony now earns his living as a black actor, because ever since he was a child he has looked black. When his friends, who are mostly black, find out about his background, fierce debates invariably follow; about whether Anthony really can call himself black, and about what black skin means to those who are born black.” | “Anthony now earns his living as a black actor, because ever since he was a child he has looked black. When his friends, who are mostly black, find out about his background, fierce debates invariably follow; about whether Anthony really can call himself black, and about what black skin means to those who are born black.” |
| The scripted programme featured actors discussing their real life experiences. The then 24-year-old Lennon discussed how his appearance caused him to suffer brutal racist abuse while growing up in 1980s London and he ultimately decided to adopt a new identity and middle name, despite the misgivings of his father. | The scripted programme featured actors discussing their real life experiences. The then 24-year-old Lennon discussed how his appearance caused him to suffer brutal racist abuse while growing up in 1980s London and he ultimately decided to adopt a new identity and middle name, despite the misgivings of his father. |
| “When my hair was shorter it looked like a little afro and people just assumed you’re half-caste,” he said on the show. “When I was younger I would try to explain. After a while I just got sick of it, the explaining.” | “When my hair was shorter it looked like a little afro and people just assumed you’re half-caste,” he said on the show. “When I was younger I would try to explain. After a while I just got sick of it, the explaining.” |
| “When I’m alone in my bedroom looking in the mirror, thinking about the stuff I’ve written down, my past, relationship-wise, pictures on the wall … I think I’m a black man.” | “When I’m alone in my bedroom looking in the mirror, thinking about the stuff I’ve written down, my past, relationship-wise, pictures on the wall … I think I’m a black man.” |
| The organisation which distributed the funding told the Sunday Times that the job had been awarded in conjunction with the theatre company: “Talawa were satisfied Anthony was eligible for the opportunity as a result of a relationship with him over a number of years, in which he has identified as a mixed-heritage individual.” | The organisation which distributed the funding told the Sunday Times that the job had been awarded in conjunction with the theatre company: “Talawa were satisfied Anthony was eligible for the opportunity as a result of a relationship with him over a number of years, in which he has identified as a mixed-heritage individual.” |
| Arts Council England added: “Talawa raised their wish to support Anthony with us. In responding we took into account the law in relation to race and ethnicity. This is a very unusual case and we do not think it undermines the support we provide to black and minority ethnic people within the theatre sector.” | Arts Council England added: “Talawa raised their wish to support Anthony with us. In responding we took into account the law in relation to race and ethnicity. This is a very unusual case and we do not think it undermines the support we provide to black and minority ethnic people within the theatre sector.” |
| Lennon could not immediately be contacted for comment. | Lennon could not immediately be contacted for comment. |
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| Talawa (theatre company) | Talawa (theatre company) |
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