The Guardian’s take on authentic representation in Wicked: Finally a true celebration of difference | Editorial

WWhile the entertainment industry does its best to address issues of diversity in race, gender, and sexuality, disability is still shockingly underrepresented. It’s not just that actors with disabilities are discounted from many roles. As actors and activists point out, “blackout” may have become taboo, but “tripping” is still an opportunity for awards. In nearly 100 years, only three actors with disabilities have won an Oscar, compared to… 25 healthy actors Who won for playing disabled characters.

This weekend’s arrival of Wicked: For Good, the sequel to a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, once again highlights the importance of casting authentic actors. The story of the green-skinned witch Elphaba, and the prejudice she faces, Wicked is a celebration of difference. However, since the hit musical opened in 2003, the role of Nessarose, Elphaba’s disabled sister, has only been played by able-bodied actors. Last year, Marissa Pudi became the first wheelchair-bound actress to play the role, in the first film adaptation. Baby Nyssa is also played By a wheelchair user. The films give the character greater power and complexity, modifying the scene that suggests they need to be “fixed.”

The fans also have a long way to go: formerly Bode challenge “Gross and harmful” comments made about Nessa online. But above all, it is the industry that must be reformed. according to Recent studyonly 21% of characters with disabilities on American television between 2016 and 2023 were played by disabled actors. Screenwriter Jack Thorne addressed the problem in British television in his 2021 MacTaggart Lecture, arguing that not only stories and the people telling them need to change, but also studios, most of whom remain inaccessible. Show business makes anything possible: animals can talk, the Emerald Cities dazzle and girls fly. But the logistics of placing a wheelchair user on stage or set (providing basic facilities e.g toilets) were considered too difficult, expensive, or unimportant.

In 2020, disabled activists condemned An adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel The Witches, which showed characters with three fingers on each hand, to present physical disability as a manifestation of moral corruption, and something to be feared. Daniel Craig’s James Bond has eschewed 007’s misogyny and embraced patriarchal instincts – yet there has been no attempt to rethink Ian Fleming’s use of facial difference to connote villainy.

But problematic classics can be effectively rebooted. The BBC’s adaptation of the much-loved girls’ boarding school series Malory Towers stars a truly diverse cast, including Bo Bradfield, who has a distinct difference, and Eli GoldsteinWho has Down Syndrome. Their differences are not part of the story. By the time Goldstein appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (which he arguably did a lot to bring in Handicap for mainstream television than any other show) This year, it already had a strong fan base among younger viewers.

Amid an alarming pushback against totalitarianism – one critic has called SHYZ University evil “Hogwarts awake” – True casting is more important than ever. Director Jon M. Chu has described “The Wizard of Oz” as “the great American fairy tale.” In Bad Guys: For Good, he redefined that fairy tale. The Broadway production of Wicked followed the film’s example and ran with it The first user of mobile wheelchairs is Nessarose. Buddy has called for people with disabilities to be employed as writers and crew members as well, which helps ensure the narrative truly changes. As Elphaba sings: “Everyone deserves a chance to fly.”

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