Theatre cancels opera over portrayal of Asian characters

A decision to cast non-Asian singers as Chinese characters has led to a Welsh opera being cancelled by a London venue.

Music Theatre Wales' (MTW) production of The Golden Dragon was due to end its tour with a show at the Hackney Empire.

But the Empire's management said the opera compromised its position "as a champion of diversity".

MTW said it acknowledged "errors of judgement" and was determined to learn from the experience.

The production is due to be performed in Bangor's Pontio Centre in Gwynedd on 18 October.

Yet the theatre said it had no plans to cancel the performance, adding: "The public should have the opportunity to see this modern opera for themselves."

In a statement, MTW said: "Featuring Caucasian singers as performers playing multiple roles, some of whom are specified as Asian characters, has caused offence.

"These errors of judgement were ours alone. Our exceptional performers are not to blame."

MTW describes itself as "the UK's leading national contemporary opera company, dedicated to bringing the finest in contemporary opera to the public".

Described as "part-comedy, part tragedy", The Golden Dragon by Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös is based on a play by the German director Roland Schimmelpfennig.

It is set in an Asian-style restaurant and tells the tale of an illegal Chinese immigrant down on his luck.

Names of the characters include "Chinese mother", "Chinese aunt", "young Asian" and "old Asian".

Cancelling the opera in its theatre, officials at the Hackney Empire said: "The debate aroused by the non-Asian casting in The Golden Dragon compromises the Empire's commitment and position as a champion of diversity and accessibility across the theatre industry.

"It is imperative that discussion and debate on diversity in the arts is encouraged and supported by the theatre industry if it is to positively reflect the population of the UK; and it is equally imperative that the outcomes of that debate are listened to by the theatre industry."

Officials said the theatre had been hired by MTW and it had played no role in casting.

The theatre management added it would welcome the opportunity to work with MTW in the coming months "to increase diversity within the opera world".

The opera company said casting non-Asian roles for parts such as these was "still widespread within the opera world".

But it added: "We acknowledge that it is problematic, and realise that we should have reflected more deeply on the implications it had for the kind of production we made.

"Music Theatre Wales' work is undoubtedly challenging but we have never set out to offend.

"This is a transformative experience for the company and one from which we are determined to learn."

The production has already been on stage at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and in Birmingham.

A spokesman from the Sherman Theatre said it was aware of the discussion taking place on social media about the casting and the cancelled performance.

He said the theatre's "ongoing commitment to diversity" was "recognised nationally" and it continued "to work hard to ensure greater diversity across our work".