Stuttgart – For almost a year and a half, cultural life in Germany was as good as idle: concert halls, cinemas, theaters – everything was closed. Now it’s finally starting again. For example, people in Stuttgart are happy that the Aladdin musical is being performed again in the Stage Apollo Theater. But there is criticism about the restart.
As reported by “BW24”, the main actor in Stuttgart this year will be embodied by the actor Maximilian Mann (34), who puts make-up on his white skin darker for the role. In the eyes of activists of the “Black Community Foundation Stuttgart”, however, this is a form of cultural appropriation and therefore racist.
Musical star Maximilian MannPhoto: SchwabenPress
The so-called “Blackfacing” describes when darkly made-up whites take on the role of blacks, for example on the stage or on the screen.
“There have to be limits,” demanded the organization in an Instagram post. The presentation is offensive and wrong. “Instead of being racist and painting the ‘color’ for which other people are discriminated against, you should cast suitable actors,” the Foundation told BW24.
The accusation of blackfacing has its origins in North America. The practice of applying dark make-up has been frowned upon there for years and is no longer used, as blacks are always portrayed in a stereotypical manner.
In the past there have been allegations against Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (49), who in 2001, when he was 29 years old, also disguised himself as Aladdin and put on dark make-up at a costume party.
In Germany, the case of cabaret artist Helmut Schleich (54) became known, who was exposed to “Blackfacing” accusations in his role as “Maxwell Strauss”. Schleich described this at the time as a purely American problem and an “imported debate”.
The organizers of the Aladdin musical have not yet commented on the allegations.