Behind the sparkle of London's West End, theatergoers queue for a show that's become controversial. But it's not slave plays themes of sexual and racial violence that has caughted mainstream outrage. It's the show's Blackout Nights that have stirred up boos and hisses. Described as shows for an all-black identifying audience that's free from the white gaze, even Richie Sunak had something to say when the nights were announced. Vera government's spokesperson, the former British Prime Minister said, restricting audiences on the basis of race would be wrong and divisive. On the theater booking site, anyone can buy a blackout night ticket, and organizers state that no one will be turned away. Despite this, they've been labeled racist against white people. Jeremio Harris, the show's creator, wasn't available to speak to Sky News, and that combined with the controversy around the night means that instead of talking about the play's themes of sexuality, identity, and race, it's nights like this, the Blackout Nights, that take center stage. In an article about Harris's previous Blackout Night, theater critic, Jiffer Benson, said the Nights have a purpose, but also that it smacks of segregation.

I am wary about anything that separates audiences along the lines of race, because I don't think it reflects the true nature of our society, or I don't think it reflects what we should be aspiring to within our society, where all people feel included and welcome in all kinds of spaces.

Some highlight that it's only two nights out of the entire run, and it isn't anything new.

We already have theater showings that cater towards people on the autism spectrum, deaf people, people with other accessibility needs. Even in cinemas, we have specific showings for, say, parents with young children. It's just about giving more people an opportunity to experience art in settings that cater towards them. It's not about stopping anyone else from seeing it.

Producers, theaters, and organizers have been keen to point out that no one would be excluded from Blackout Nights, demonstrated by the attendees on the night.

I don't think it feels exclusionary at all. I don't want white people to feel excluded. Please don't. It's not an exclusion thing. It's just we don't get the same opportunities as you do. It's good to have that space. It's not racism.

I don't think so. There are white people here tonight, which we didn't have a... We didn't have anything to say about that. There was no problem. In the US, Slave Play was a smash hit, becoming the most Tony nominated show of all time. But it seems the controversy around Blackout Nights is perhaps getting more stage time than the play itself and its themes. Jason Mancere, Sky News.