Blackface - Minstrelsy

Thinking Allowed

BBC

Society & Culture, Science

4.4 • 997 Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2021

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

BLACKFACE & MINSTRELSY - At its most basic level, 'blackface' is the application of any prosthetic to imitate the complexion of another race. In theory, it's a performance available to all, yet 'whiteface' is relatively unknown. Laurie Taylor talks to Ayanna Thompson, Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, about the painful history of ‘blackface’, an ancient European theatrical device that the Europeans brought with them to America. What connects it to Blackface minstrelsy, a specific comedic performance tradition rooted in slavery, and why does this racist practice endure today?

Also, Christine Grandy, Associate Professor in History at the University of Lincoln, discusses the origins of the British Black and White Minstrel Show, a prime time, BBC variety programme which lasted for 20 years, from 1958-1978. She uncovers a little known history in which broadcasters, the press, and audience members collectively argued that the show had nothing to do with race whilst the complaints and anger of Black people were dismissed. Thinking Allowed is produced in partnership with the Open University.

Producer: Jayne Egerton

Transcript

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0:00.0	Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of
0:07.0	Happiness Podcast.
0:08.0	For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want
0:14.4	to share that science with you.
0:16.1	And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.
0:19.4	I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that
0:25.4	calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.
0:30.3	BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts.
0:36.2	This is a Thinking Loud Podcasts, and for more details and much, much more about thinking aloud go to our website at BBC.co. UK
0:47.4	Hello enter from stage left an African general in the Venetian army.
0:53.3	I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege,
0:57.3	and mighty merits may speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune as this
1:01.0	that I have reached, for no yago, but that I have reached for no yago but that I love the gentle
1:05.7	Desdemona. Lawrence Olivier back in 1965 playing Othello the tragic hero of
1:12.4	Shakespeare's play. Now at that time I was an aspirant
1:16.4	actor and I spent too much of my spare time hanging around with other out-of-work actors in all-day
1:21.8	drinking clubs and I remember how we used to chatter about
1:25.1	Olivier's performance the special way he walked, the way he lowered his usual voice, but most of
1:31.6	all we talked about his blackness. How did he pull off that effect?
1:37.4	Well, in his book on acting, Olivier lets us in on the secret.
1:42.1	Black all over my body,
1:43.8	Max Factor 2880, then a lighter bronze,
	...

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