From Angry Asian Man: Real Life Yellowface -- Now Playing In Seattle
I've read the link, and I keep thinking: What a misinformed idiot. Does he understand anything about theatrical history, Gilbert and Sullivan, or the history of ethnic performers in entertainment? If he does, wow, he needs to be more informed.
As an Asian actor, we face the conundrum of all ethnic actors: when are stereotypes unacceptable?
In the case of the Mikado, here are my thoughts:
Watch the movie Topsy-Turvy, as it should put this all in perspective as the original intents of Gilbert and Sullivan. As I portrayed Pish-Tush in a couple of productions of Mikado, I get the yellow face. To me, there are certain realities we will never escape. Like how 'our people' were perceived and portrayed 160 some-odd years ago when Mikado premiered in the Savoy Theatre in London. I let it go because it's a testament to how things have changed.
I even played Ito in Auntie Mame, and had no qualms about the stereotypes of his character (and in retrospect should have played it up, as he was supposed to be the comic relief in those scenes).
It would be nice if the casts were all API, but if it were, I think it would lose some of the G & S flavor and historical relevance. The Mikado was groundbreaking for many reasons, for one, a G & S theme that didn't rely on the supernatural or 'contrived' premise. It was one of a handful of dramatic works at the time that took place anywhere but Europe or English-Speaking North America. It was a statement of a time in Victorian England where anything Asian was en vogue and very popular.
They wrote another show "Utopia Limited", which was a commentary on British Colonial Imperialism, set on an Island Nation (most likely Hawaii). Since it is a bitch to produce, the show rarely sees the light of day, but when it does, will people complain about the appearances of the Natives? By the way, I also did that show, but as one Lord Dramaleigh, whose character represented the good that public works could do for a country. Was I offended in either case? NO!
And on the other hand, today one of my agents submitted me to be a stand in for a well-known Japanese golfer in a commerical. I'm Filipino. Should people be pissed? NO!
Taking the perceived Yellowface out of "The Mikado" would be like taking the N-word out of "To Kill A Mockingbird" or deleting derogatory words in other plays about other ethnic groups that came out before Civil Rights. Or sanitizing the "Rape" sequence in "The Fantasticks". Or making Aldonza/Dulcinea a misunderstood woman, rather than the uh.... "whore" in "The Man of La Mancha". Or Disney not making "The Song of the South" available for purchase or viewing (it is a movie that they totally regret making, but will never publicly admit that)? Or even yet, do people find "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" offensive because it's a commentary of Greek-American family life?
I'm neither defending nor condemning, I'm just saying that everything needs to be kept in perspective. There are times where being PC need not be a driving force in everything in our lives.
I've read the link, and I keep thinking: What a misinformed idiot. Does he understand anything about theatrical history, Gilbert and Sullivan, or the history of ethnic performers in entertainment? If he does, wow, he needs to be more informed.
As an Asian actor, we face the conundrum of all ethnic actors: when are stereotypes unacceptable?
In the case of the Mikado, here are my thoughts:
Watch the movie Topsy-Turvy, as it should put this all in perspective as the original intents of Gilbert and Sullivan. As I portrayed Pish-Tush in a couple of productions of Mikado, I get the yellow face. To me, there are certain realities we will never escape. Like how 'our people' were perceived and portrayed 160 some-odd years ago when Mikado premiered in the Savoy Theatre in London. I let it go because it's a testament to how things have changed.
I even played Ito in Auntie Mame, and had no qualms about the stereotypes of his character (and in retrospect should have played it up, as he was supposed to be the comic relief in those scenes).
It would be nice if the casts were all API, but if it were, I think it would lose some of the G & S flavor and historical relevance. The Mikado was groundbreaking for many reasons, for one, a G & S theme that didn't rely on the supernatural or 'contrived' premise. It was one of a handful of dramatic works at the time that took place anywhere but Europe or English-Speaking North America. It was a statement of a time in Victorian England where anything Asian was en vogue and very popular.
They wrote another show "Utopia Limited", which was a commentary on British Colonial Imperialism, set on an Island Nation (most likely Hawaii). Since it is a bitch to produce, the show rarely sees the light of day, but when it does, will people complain about the appearances of the Natives? By the way, I also did that show, but as one Lord Dramaleigh, whose character represented the good that public works could do for a country. Was I offended in either case? NO!
And on the other hand, today one of my agents submitted me to be a stand in for a well-known Japanese golfer in a commerical. I'm Filipino. Should people be pissed? NO!
Taking the perceived Yellowface out of "The Mikado" would be like taking the N-word out of "To Kill A Mockingbird" or deleting derogatory words in other plays about other ethnic groups that came out before Civil Rights. Or sanitizing the "Rape" sequence in "The Fantasticks". Or making Aldonza/Dulcinea a misunderstood woman, rather than the uh.... "whore" in "The Man of La Mancha". Or Disney not making "The Song of the South" available for purchase or viewing (it is a movie that they totally regret making, but will never publicly admit that)? Or even yet, do people find "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" offensive because it's a commentary of Greek-American family life?
I'm neither defending nor condemning, I'm just saying that everything needs to be kept in perspective. There are times where being PC need not be a driving force in everything in our lives.
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