An emotionally intense play poses one question: “Should love be political?”
VCU’s Black Theatre Association and Richmond Triangle Players hosted a talkback on Sunday night to discuss the themes in “This Bitter Earth” by playwright Harrison David Rivers.
“This Bitter Earth” is a contemporary two-character play that focuses on race, class and sexuality as boyfriends Neil and Jesse work through issues surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. Neil is a white BLM protester constantly pushing his boyfriend to be more active, but Jesse is a Black playwright who struggles with his own political exhaustion.
Neil and Jesse address their conflicting realities throughout the play and learn how to understand each other’s perspectives.
During the talkback, the Black Theatre Association focused on the change in theatre production during the pandemic and how audience members can relate the themes of the play to real life. The cast and crew members — Evan Nasteff, Raja Benz, Brandon Rashad Butts and Keaton Hillman — shared their feelings on the BLM movement and how their opinions conflicted and coexisted with their characters. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.
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