An outdoor theater located in Cornwall has decided to cancel an opera performance after receiving a solitary complaint about cultural insensitivity.
The Minack Theatre, situated in the coastal village of Porthcurno, withdrew its planned staging of Léo Delibes’s “Lakmé” following criticism from Rajan Zed, a Hindu activist based in the United States. Zed criticized the production as a display of ‘shallow exoticism rooted in prejudice’.
Rajan Zed, who leads the Universal Society of Hinduism, condemned the theater’s initial choice to feature Surrey Opera’s rendition of the opera, calling it ‘highly irresponsible’ due to what he perceived as cultural insensitivities inherent in the French work.
He claimed the opera perpetuates ‘orientalist attitudes’ and constitutes a ‘blatant belittling’ of a culture, urging the Minack Theatre to refrain from endorsing the ‘appropriation of traditions, elements, and concepts of “others.”’
Lakmé, a three-act opera that debuted in 1883, revolves around the tale of a Hindu priest’s daughter, Lakmé, who becomes involved in a forbidden romance with a British officer named Gérald.
The production had been planned for performances from September 7 to 11.
A spokesperson for The Minack Theatre said they had ‘concerns from the start’ about the choice of the play, but ‘understand and accept’ Mr Zed’s concerns surrounding it.
They said: ‘The opera contains two well-known arias, the Bell Song and the Flower Duet, which are frequently performed in classical concerts, however it was composed in 1883 and reflects colonial and social attitudes prevalent in Europe at that time.
An open-air theatre in Cornwall has recalled its production of Léo Delibes’s Lakmé after campaigner Rajan Zed (pictured) complained of cultural insensitivity
A spokesperson for The Minack Theatre (pictured) said they had ‘concerns from the start’ about the play, but ‘understand and accept’ Mr Zed’s concerns surrounding it
‘Because of this we had concerns from the start about their choice and were in discussion with Surrey Opera about how they would address these issues in their production before Mr Zed contacted us.
‘They have subsequently withdrawn the opera and Mr Zed has been informed of this.
‘The Minack is an inclusive venue, welcoming people of all cultures and faiths. We do not condone racial or religious intolerance or misrepresentation in any form.
‘We understand and accept Mr Zed’s valid concerns and are happy that we have been able to resolve this matter.’
In the run-up to the production, The Minack Theatre issued trigger warnings on their website, which included saying the opera contained themes of ‘cultural bias’ and ‘stereotyping or negative depictions of people/cultures’.
However, Mr Zed has welcomed their decision to halt the performance, reiterating that the opera ‘trivializes’ Hinduism and other religions.
He said he was in communication with the theatre’s director, Rebecca Thomas, who is said to have agreed there are ‘certain outdated references and cultural sensitivities’ within ‘older’ theatre productions.
Mr Zed has since called for Surrey Opera, based in Croydon in south London, to apologise – and has suggested their president and artistic director undertake ‘cultural sensitivity training.’
He said Surrey Opera should have shown ‘some maturity’ before picking Lakmé, which he claims displays ‘Western caricaturing of Eastern heritage and abetting ethnic stereotyping.’
He went on to accuse Surrey Opera of further perceived offences, including ‘colonial terminology, needless appropriation of cultural motifs, patronising flawed mishmash of centuries-old orientalist stereotypes’ and ‘pseudo and unabashed orientalism’.
Now, Surrey Opera will instead perform Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti at the St Mary Magdalene in Croydon, before bringing the show to The Minack.
Surrey Opera has been contacted for comment.
