Tom Holland's Co-Star Faces Online Bullying: 'Romeo & Juliet' Production Responds
- IndiaGlitz, [Monday,April 08 2024]
Meanwhile, the Jamie Lloyd Company, which is to stage the production of Romeo & Juliet in the West End on October 20, has condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the alleged racial abuse meted out to one of the leading actors in the play, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.
In an Instagram post shared on April 5, the company announced that Amewudah-Rivers will be a part of the pair, also known as their co-producer beside Tom Holland. Fans of Holland from the Marvel universe have subjected the young actress to online vitriol since the casting announcement a week ago.
The producers emphasized the urgency of stopping such behaviors. The producers further stressed that the artists should feel secure working over the internet without any type of harassment. He said they will ensure full support and protection for each person involved in the making of the film and will report to the authorities about more cases of abuse.
The company also reiterated its full commitment to maintaining a rehearsal environment of joy, compassion, and kindness, with zero tolerance for any kind of online harassment or bullying. They also laid down and celebrated the talents of every collaborator of theirs, expressing a strong commitment and dedication to bringing 'Romeo & Juliet' to life, emphasizing that they would do so with liberal doses of love.
The production marks the stage debut for Holland since making his own Billy Elliot: The Musical. Amewudah-Rivers, the Bad Education and Macbeth actress, made her West End debut as Juliet. The cast also features Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome, Daniel Quinn-Toye, and Ray Sesay. Jamie Lloyd, the director, has scheduled the production to play at the Duke of York's Theatre in London from May 11 to August 3, and there are strong rumors of a Broadway transfer.