The West End production of Romeo and Juliet starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has faced a ‘barrage of deplorable racial abuse’ after the diverse cast was announced.
A statement from the theatre company on Friday denounced the shocking backlash as they vowed to ‘continue to support and protect everyone in our company.’
The Jamie Lloyd Company shared: ‘Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop.
‘We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.
‘We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.’
The West End production of Romeo and Juliet starring Francesca Amewudah-Rivers and Tom Holland has faced a ‘barrage of deplorable racial abuse’ after the diverse cast was announced
The Romeo & Juliet cast was announced last month, with Spider-Man star Tom and Bad Education’s Francesca announced in the titular roles
It continued: ‘Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities.
‘Our rehearsal room is full of joy, compassion and kindness. We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators.
‘The Romeo & Juliet community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love, and focus on the creation of our production.’
The theatre company did not directly name who had received abuse.
MailOnline has contacted The Jamie Lloyd Company for comment.
The Romeo & Juliet cast was announced last month, with Spider-Man star Tom and Bad Education’s Francesca announced in the titular roles.
They are joined by Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators).
The 12-week run kicks off on May 11 and will conclude August 3 at The Duke of York’s Theatre.
A statement from the theatre company on Friday denounced the shocking backlash as they vowed to ‘continue to support and protect everyone in our company.’
Also in the cast are Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome , Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ray Sesay, Nima Taleghani, Joshua-Alexander Williams, and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer
Tickets for the production sold out two hours after going on sale in February. At this time Tom was the only cast member announced.
Fans compared the stress of trying to get their hands on tickets as on par with Taylor Swift‘s Eras tour, which has brought in $1.04billion with 4.35m tickets sold across 60 tour dates.
Director Jamie Lloyd, 43, said of the casting: ‘Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.’
Tom made his stage debut as a child when he starred in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in 2008.
Romeo And Juliet will mark his first West End role as an adult.
The Shakespearean epic is a story that has been staged hundreds of times on the West End and The Crown actor Josh O’Connor and Irish star Jessie Buckley appeared in a version of the play, filmed for TV inside the National Theatre in 2021.
Other actors to have played Romeo on stage include Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch, The Lord Of The Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen, Game Of Thrones‘ Sean Bean and Bodyguard actor Richard Madden.
