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Theatre to host Bristol’s first ‘Black Out night’
Bristol’s first-ever “Black Out” night aims to provide a space for safety and belonging for people “who’ve long felt left out” of theatre-going communities.
Bristol Old Vic will hold a special performance for “Black-identifying audience members” as part of a run of Main Character Energy, a one-woman play by Temi Wilkey, which explores the joys and struggles of Black women in the entertainment industry.
The aim is to provide Black viewers with a unique experience of the production and an opportunity to engage in a discussion about its themes, held after the show, “free from the white gaze.”
The show is open to all, but the historic theatre “hope[s] you will help us create an evening which serves this aim”.
Writer-performer Wilkey said she was “so proud” to be hosting Bristol Old Vic’s first Black Out night, calling them “unique theatrical experiences”.
The concept of a Black Out night is not new and has taken place before in the UK, with theatres in London hosting such performances, including Daddy, by Jeremy O Harris, and Tambo & Bones, by Dave Harris.
Temi Wilkey’s one-woman show, Main Character Energy, is a comedic and theatrical performance that explores themes of self-worth and identity – image: Temi Wilkey
Wilkey is an actor, writer and performer whose debut play, The High Table, won the Stage Debut Award for Best Writer in 2020, and whose theatre credits include the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and Royal Court.
Her play Main Character Energy debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 and played sold-out audiences at London’s Soho Theatre.
It is billed as “a high-glam, high-stakes takedown of ego, identity, and the exhausting pressure to perform your worth”.
Expressing her pride at being involved in the Black Out night, Wilkey said: “It’s so special as a Black writer and performer to share the show with the audience that resonates with it most.
“Black Out nights hit different. You hear the hums of recognition in the room and it feels like the walls are shaking with laughter.
“It’s amazing to create a space where Black people can laugh about tokenism and institutional racism as well as celebrate the joys of our shared lived experiences.”
Nancy Medina was appointed at Bristol Old Vic’s artistic director in March 2023 – photo: Camilla Greenwell
Bristol Old Vic’s artistic director Nancy Medina added: “We want everyone in Bristol to feel invited to come to Bristol Old Vic, and to have a real sense of belonging the minute they walk through the doors.
“Historically, this has been difficult to achieve due to the stigma of the UK’s cultural buildings being seen as places for the very wealthy or society’s elite to come to be entertained by stories that reflect their own experiences.
“Our responsibility is to fight daily to change that narrative.
“By diversifying the stories told on our stages and by making different invitations to see those stories, we’re working to ensure people who’ve long felt left out can feel fully part of the theatre-going community.
“Black Out Night is one way of making a different invite.
“There are so few times when Black audiences are in the majority when listening to Black-led stories, and I’m so proud to live in a city where we can appreciate the value of creating space for each other.”
Bristol Old Vic’s first-ever Black Out night is taking place to provide a space for safety and belonging for people “who’ve long felt left out” of theatre-going communities – photo: Betty Woolerton
Black Out performances were first introduced by Harris in the United States for his 2019 play, Slave Play, a Broadway production that explores race and sexuality.
When the play ran at the Noël Coward theatre in the West End in London, it was met with criticism by the prime minister at the time, Rishi Sunak, who said the “restriction on audiences” was “wrong and divisive”.
In response, Harris said: “”As someone who wants and yearns for black and brown people to be in the theatre, who comes from a working class environment, and so wants people who do not make over six-figures a year to feel like theatre is a place for them, it is a necessity to radically invite them in with initiatives that say ‘you’re invited. Specifically you’.”
On Bristol Old Vic’s website, the Black Out night is described as “for people who identify as being part of the Black racial or cultural community, including those connected to Black heritage, culture, or experiences, whether by ancestry, lived experience, or personal identification”.
It adds: “While no one will be refused entry, we hope you will help us create an evening which serves this aim.”
‘Main Character Energy’ opens on Monday and runs until Saturday at the Weston Studio at Bristol Old Vic. The Black Out night takes place on Thursday at 8pm and is followed by a post-show discussion led by performance artist, theatre maker and writer Travis Alabanza.
For tickets, visit bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/main-character-energy.
Main photo: Temi Wilkey
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