Say it ain’t Snow! The Game of Thrones actor, 37, appears in London’s West End for an extended stint in Jeremy O. Harris’ groundbreaking Slave Play. The play, which deals with heavy, mature themes surrounding race, identity, and sexuality, has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike — perhaps too much, according to reports.
A brief rundown.
Slave Play is an intimate look into the sex lives of three interracial couples attending “Antebellum Sexual Performance Therapy,” which finds the modern-day couples role-playing as people in pre-Civil War America. The play is a newer one, debuting Off-Broadway in 2018 before quickly moving to Broadway. It holds second place in the record for the most Tony-nominated play of all time.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe play’s writer says he isn’t a fan of casting big stars.
“There’s a lot of people making theatre now who think commercial theatre can only be made if you have someone who’s on the biggest TV show or the biggest movie ever, with the marquee name as the reason for you to buy the ticket. I don’t believe in that,” Jeremy O. Harris told The Guardian.
Embed from Getty ImagesA familiar Game of Thrones name recommended Kit for the role.
Harris was in the midst of casting the West End version of Slave Play when Game of Thrones alum Gwendoline Christie – aka Brienne of Tarth – suggested Kit for a role. Harris was hesitant, but chose to meet up with Kit to hear him out.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, he stands by Harington’s casting.
“Kit was saying ‘I don’t want this to be “Kit Harington in Slave Play’ this is an ensemble play and I’m not even the lead,” he explained Harington’s approach to the play. “He knows the weight his name carries and how that could become a distraction, if we allowed it to be.”
A different distraction has taken center stage.
Because people just can’t be normal, the Noël Coward Theatre — the play’s home until September — has had to institute an odd policy for its audience. On top of strictly banning recording and photography of any kind, the theater also provides each attendee with a sticker to cover their device’s camera lens.
What’s up with the stickers?
In the play, Harington’s character participates in a rather intense form of sex therapy with his Black female partner, played by Olivia Washington, daughter of acclaimed Hollywood actor Denzel Washington. In one of the scenes, Harington and Washington’s characters act out a lengthy sex scene, reportedly lasting over ten minutes.
The theater had to institute strict rules because of the scene.
To protect the modesty of the actors, the theater chose to institute the sticker policy for all recording devices. It’s an extra layer of security that quickly allows theater employees to identify who isn’t following the rules.
It’s honestly a good policy.
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Actors are artists, and sometimes art involves exploring the more intimate areas of the human experience. That doesn’t mean that the art should be separated from its context for clickbait on the internet, especially without the actors’ consent. Their performance is for the audience in the theater looking to engage with the play’s story in good faith, after all.
The theater isn’t messing around, either.
Embed from Getty ImagesAn alleged insider told The Sun that breaking the rules comes with heavy consequences. “Management really want to protect his modesty so they’ve threatened legal action if anyone is caught filming,” they said. It’s not worth it, Kit enthusiasts!
Slave Play runs until late September.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf you happen to be in London, you can catch a performance of Slave Play until the play bows on September 21, 2024 at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. And remember – if you attend, make sure those stickers stay on your phone cameras!
