Synopsis

A stage within a stage. White actors in blackface portray colonizers, while Black actors in whiteface and masks perform a ritualistic “clownery” for them.

Archibald leads a group of Black performers in an elaborate, theatrical reenactment of the murder of a white woman. As the performance unfolds, the lines between reality and artifice blur, challenging notions of race, power, and identity. The play-within-a-play structure allows for biting commentary on colonialism and racial stereotypes.

Jean Genet’s provocative and controversial work uses metatheatrical techniques to explore themes of racial identity, colonialism, and power dynamics. Through stylised language, ritualistic elements, and deliberate stereotyping, The Blacks confronts audiences with uncomfortable truths about race relations and the legacy of slavery. The play’s non-linear structure and use of masks and role-reversal create a disorienting experience that forces viewers to confront their own preconceptions and biases.