The theatre company responsible for the new West End production of Romeo and Juliet has spoken out against the racial abuse directed at one of its stars.
The show, which features Tom Holland from Spider-Man as Romeo, recently announced its full cast, including Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet.
In a statement released on Friday, the Jamie Lloyd Company expressed their disappointment over the “deplorable racial abuse” that had been directed towards a member of their team online. They made it clear that such behavior is unacceptable and must cease immediately.
The company emphasized that they are dedicated to supporting and protecting all members of their team, allowing them to create their work free from online harassment. They also stressed that any form of abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.
The show, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is set to run at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London from May 11 to August 3. Both Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers will be making their West End debuts in this production.
The company stated that the rehearsal room is filled with joy, compassion, and kindness, and they are focused on celebrating the extraordinary talent of everyone involved in the show.
They concluded by reaffirming their commitment to continue rehearsing with generosity and love, as they work towards creating a memorable production of Romeo and Juliet.
The statement made it clear that bullying and harassment have no place in the industry or wider communities, and they are dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all involved.
