European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 5, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Theater London a commercial theater scene slights Black plays by Matt Wolf the associated press London s West end has two Long running All Black musicals and three others have just recently left town. So where Are the plays in a commercial environment that readily embraces Blacks kicking up their heels in song it seems the audience dries up once the music does. Quot it s the British mentality that Black people ought to be seen singing and dancing Quot says Yvonne Brewster the jamaican born artistic director of Tarawa Britain s largest Black theater company. Hence the number of shows of late that have offered just that. The longest running is the revue five Guys named Moe Lyric theater Celebration of american jazzman Louis Jordan which opened april 8 on Broadway and is continuing Strong Here. Since its december 1990 West end Bow five Guys has been joined by another seemingly permanent fixture Carmen Jones old Vic theater new production of Oscar Hammerstein in s 1943 Black rewrite of the Bizet opera. Both shows won top Olivier awards a London s Tony a in their respective seasons. Also on the West end this year were the Cotton club a wan tribute to the Harlem hot spot Sisulu a touring South african musical written and conceived by a White Mother daughter team Bertha Egnos and Cail Lakier and sophisticated ladies the London premiere of the hit Broadway tribute to Duke Ellington featuring a mixed race cast. The number of commercial Black plays during that time none. Quot we Haven t got past the singing and dancing to taking Black people seriously Quot said Philip Hedley artistic director of theater Royal Stratford East the Quot fringe Quot East London venue where five Guys began. Producers he said Quot still feel that they Are looking for a Middle class audience and though they d probably deny it Black issues Are not seen to relate much to a Middle class that s Why the history of Black theater on the West end is essentially musical from imports both South african King Kong Ipi Tomb Sisulu and american bubbling Brown sugar Eubie Ain t misbehaving to Home grown efforts often involving the wings fit a scene from the London production of five Guys named Moe a tribute to the songs of 1940s jazz Star Louis Jordan. The musical stars Clinton derricks Carroll from left to right Kenny Andrews Omar Okai Paul j. Medford and Peter a sex Newton foreground. Americans like five Guys and the ill fated Mart in Luther King musical King. Commercially Black plays on the West end Are a virtual non starter the Market theater of Johannesburg a successful two character woza Albert proving the exception. A1987 revival of James Baldwin s the amen Corner marked the first All Black British production of a play Ever to attempt the West end. It had sold out at the Small tricycle theater in Northwest London but collapsed after several months in its commercial Transfer. So did August Wilson s Tony and pulitzer prize winning fences which played the West end briefly in 1990 in a production starring american actor Yaphet kotto. Other Black writers to have made an Impact Over the years on Broadway include Samm Art Williams Tomento Zake Shange for coloured girls who have considered suicide. When the Rainbow is enu Leslie Lee first Breeze of summer Joseph a. Walker the River niger and Lorraine Hansberry a Raisin in the Sun. These writers allowed generations of Black actors to solidify their reputations in award winning parts a Larry Fishburne s Tony winning turn in two trains running being the latest example. By contrast British Black performers tend to make their names in White writer s plays a Josette Simon in Arthur Miller s after the fall for example or Adrian Lester in the current West end production of John Guare s six degrees of separation. Britain based Blacks writers like Caryl Philips and Ben okra Don t write for the theater although Philips did pen some Early plays strange fruit the shelter before switching full time to books. Clarke Peters the american creator of five Guys said London needed a Quot a re education of the theater going Quot audiences would prefer to see something they could relate to More than Black problems Quot said Peters Quot although if they gave themselves half a Chance they would see these Are not Black problems but human he said the Lack of mainstream Black drama indicated a larger absence in English culture. Quot there Are no Cosby Over Here Quot Peters said referring to the influential american sitcom the Cosby show. Quot there s no one with those kinds of nor does Britain have a Range of Black film makers and celebrities to match people like Spike Lee John Singleton Oprah Winfrey and Eddie Murphy. Beyond director Isaac Julien Young soul rebels Ana comic Lenny Henry names arc hard to come by. Blacks make up 4.8 percent or 2.62 million of the British populace according to the Runnymede Institute a race relations Charity. And while a burgeoning Middle class is starting to make an Impact it s not yet sizable enough to transform a commercial Black play into a hit. \ d i y Kim in / Lorr it a theater Germany Bamberg s stable theater presents Frankenstein the horror classic Mary Shelley on nov. 5 through 7. Show time is 7 30 . Tickets �$7 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 6 years old will not admitted. For More information and reservations Call 0951-300 47. A Berlin musical comedy dinner theater presents the comedy baby i nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at Andrews theater on Andrews Barracks be nov. 13-14 performances include an optional dinner tickets Cost i 3.50 with the dinner or $6 without. Shows Start at 6 30 . The a 20-21 performances Start at 8 . Tickets Cost $6. For More formation Call ets 332-3550 or civilian 080-819-3550. Pitburg s theater presents the musical Charlotte s web on nov. 5, 6 id 7. Show time is 7 30 . Tickets Are $5 for adults and $2 for it theater croup will also present the Neil Simon play same time ext year with a desert night nov. 12 at the Pitburg officer s club crets Are $7 and go on Sale nov. 1. Seating is at 6 30 . Also on nov. 13 and 14 the sky Blazer Community has planned a inner theater at the club. The Cost for the meal and performance is 14 for More information Call 06561-17091. Darmstadt s performing arts Center presents Carousel the Story of a gabber who is killed but gets one last Chance to do Good on nov. 6, 7 3 14 and 20. Performances take place at 8 at the performing arts enter on Ernst Ludwig Cavern in Darmstadt. Tickets Cost. $8 or 12 Parks for adults and $5 or 12 Marks for children under 12. For More relish theater Frankfurt presents passion play by Peter Nichols Ircha ii nov 7 the come examines a couples 25-year marriage Appy fulfilled and Boring. Tickets Are about 40 Marks $29 it ind 15 Ifres for students. Show time for most performances is 8 . The theater company will also present the Boyfriend by Sandy Vison a nov through 3c the theater is at Kaise Strasse 52. For More Jess asst s a it Swiden Quot 6 0,11 Mau of children 6 of 12 years old. For More information Call ets 343-6515 or civilian 0641402-6515. Hanau s five pfennig playhouse on old Argonne Cavern presents the family musical Oliver on dec. 4, 5,11,12,18 and 19 at 7 30 . Also a 2 . Matinee will be presented on dec. 20. Tickets Are $8. For More information Call ets 06181-888031. Heidelberg s Roadside theater presents the department of defense sponsored murder mystery spoof the Case of the cabaret murder on nov. 24 at 8 . The one night Only performance takes place on Stem Cavern Between Heidelberg and Mannheim on autobahn 656. Admission is free. For More information Call ets 3807073 or civilian 06321-730-7073. The Worms performing arts Center on Takkunen Barracks presents the Christmas comedy my three Angels nov. 27, nov. 28, and dec. 4-5 and 11-12. Curtain time is 8 ., and a sunday afternoon matinee will play at 2 . On dec. 6. Tickets Are $8 for adults e-6 and above e-5 s and below teens and senior citizens pay $6 and children under 12 pay $4. Tor More information Call ets 383-720&Quot or civilian 06241-48-720�?~j. Dramatic training Germany the Pitburg players will present a theater director s workshop nov. 16, 23, 30 and dec. 7. The free workshop is open to anyone interested in directing theater As Well As actors and actresses. Tor More information Call 06561-1 7091. The English theater school of dramatic arts in Frankfurt is offering English language acting and speech training with examination and accreditation by the Guildhall school of music and drama London. Thu program includes lectures from internationally recognized actors directors teachers and film camera Crews. Courses Are open to professionals and amateurs. Day and evening classes meet once a week for 10-week sessions. A Young people s theater workshop is also available for those 15 or older and a children s workshop is planned. The fee for a workshop session is 320 Marks about $230 and 280 Marks for students. The fee for the Young people s workshop is 220 Marks. Exam courses in acting diction and Public speaking Cost about 415 Marks. For More information Contact director Jill Arndt on tuesdays thursdays and fridays from 10 . To noon. Telephone 0611-562193. Auditions Germany Bamberg s stable theater has announced auditions for the Homecoming on oct. 27 at 6 . The play inspired the Waltons to series. Roles will include eight males five females four boys and 33 girls. Backstage volunteers Are also needed for information Call 09513008806. Nurnberg s stage 13 will be holding open auditions for the shows scheduled for this season. Scheduled productions include the taming of the shrew Blithe spirit Camelot How to handle a woman and Chicago. A number of positions will also be available for technical and Volunteer jobs. For More information Call 0911 -700660&Quot. Competitions and awards events Germany Wil Flecken military Community hosts its sixth annual Low moan spectacular awards show at the recreation Center on Wil Flecken Cavern on nov. 7. The Tongue in Cheek mini oscars presentation rewards local theater volunteers but the Public is encouraged to attend. This year s theme is Quot Faricy sch Mancy Quot awardees and audience Are encouraged to dress up. Cool sunglasses Are required and no Leisure suits Are Al owed tuxes and tiaras Are encouraged. Tickets Cost $6 in Advance and $8 at the door. For More information Call ets 326-3607. Giessen military Community is Halfway through its annual tournament of plays a Usa eur wide Competition pitting the entertainment divisions of various military communities against each other. Remaining plays include Frankenstein in Bamberg on nov. 5, Hedda Cable in Giessen on nov. 7, and Dracula in Augsburg on nov. 8. An awards ceremony letting everyone know How they did is planned for nov. 21, but is Only open to play participants because of space considerations. For More information about the Competition or remaining performances Call et5 469-8647 in Bamberg ets 343-6515 in Giessen or ets 434-6557 in Augsburg. Military communities and Angush language Heaters in Europe May submit information on their theater end musical dec titles Lor publication in this column in the first Stripe Magazine of each month. Information for the december column must Berece amp de by nov. 25. Hems must induce performance dates times and locations Cost of tickets. And phone numbers to Callix More information. Please Send the information to the stars and Suppes. Entertainment. Unit 29480. Apo a 09211. Or the stars and stripes. Entertainment of teach 11 14 37.6100 Darmstadt 11. Germany. November 5, 1992 stripes Magazine 11
