Tom Holland’s Romeo & Juliet co-star receives support from 800 Black actors after racist abuse

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 800 Black female and non-binary actors have signed an open letter in solidarity with Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who stars opposite Tom Holland in a forthcoming West End production of Romeo & Juliet. “For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse.” open image in gallery Frances Amewudah-Rivers It continues: “We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all Black women performers who face this kind of abuse – WE see you. “And to the keyboard warriors who feel discomfort in Our visibility, cry on the internet all you want, but We are here to stay.” The letter follows a statement issued by the Jamie Lloyd theatre company condemning the “barrage of deplorable racial abuse”. open image in gallery Tom Holland and Amewudah-Rivers in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ promo The signatories welcomed the theatre company’s statement and said it hoped it would “extend to committed emotional support for Francesca on her journey with the production”.