Blacking up
If an actor has to darken his skin with make-up for the sake of theatrical effect, is it really such a big deal (Letters, 9 February)?
Clearly it is for some, as the self-appointed guardians of public decency, morality and human rights are treated to another opportunity to make accusations of racial abuse.
What I would like to know is this: if a black actor was in a part that involved a change of skin colour to enable him to portray a Caucasian, would the word “racism” even occur to anyone?
Walter J Allan
Colinton Mains Drive