Local Montreal play carries on despite upset over controversial puppet – Montreal | 24CA News

At first look, the play L’incroyable Secret de Barbe Noire, which interprets to Black Beard’s Incredible Journey, looks like another kids’s play.

But a puppet featured within the play, which is a caricature of the artist, has induced lots of controversy amongst Black group members.

The City of Pointe Claire finally eliminated the play from its Black History Month programming, however after consultations, the present went on as scheduled. Speaking in French, Frank Sylvestre, the artist, mentioned he’s relieved that the present might go on.

2:13Controversial play will go on in Pointe-Claire regardless of complaints from Black group

“Finally I can be with the children and they can enjoy my show,” he mentioned. “Adults can see what it’s all about.”

READ MORE: Controversial kids’s play will go on as deliberate in Pointe-Claire, Que.

The play was cancelled in Beaconsfield, which Silvestre, an immigrant initially from the French island Martinique, known as disappointing.

“I find it disappointing that they backtracked so quickly and they didn’t consider the importance of the culture and freedom of expression,” he added.

His present was introduced at Stewart Hall on Sunday and was attended by largely kids and their mother and father who know the artist’s work, whereas others wished to see what the controversy was about.

2:15Calls to cancel play in Pointe-Claire over racially problematic character

“If it’s art, the people have the right to express themselves the way they feel like. How can we sensor artistic expression?” Said one girl, whereas one other added it’s time to mirror on stereotypes.

The play, which runs about 45 minutes, is supposed to make kids snort, however not everyone seems to be on the identical web page.

“This play has been put on for years and these young children are being exposed to images that appear like Black face,” mentioned Joel Debellefeuille, the manager director of the Red Coalition, a company dedicated to preventing racial profiling.

He asks how it could be completely different if the artist was white.

“There’s no reason why there should be a difference between why it’s wrong with Mr. Sylvestre doing it as a Black man, and that’s the key here,” he added.

The play has already been introduced throughout Montreal over 50 instances. Sylvestre hopes curiosity will get the higher of individuals and encourages everybody to take a look at his work.

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