I am a little concerned by Ruth Archer's stance on this issue, particularly as she is a booker for a big festival. She is saying that people should not black up because in the past blacking up was associated with imitating the minstrel troupes, and is thus essentially racist. She also quotes an item that says the use of bajoes, or bones, or tambourines also proves a link to the minstrel troupes. Now, this may or not be true. But she appears to be drawing the deduction that not only is blacking up unacceptable, but also the playing of bajoes, tambourines, and bones is unacceptable.
I play in a band that regularly uses banjo and bones, and on occasion we've had a tambourine player sitting in.(As do many bands, Martin Brinsford in the Brasshoppers springs to mind). Is Ruth Archer saying that those instruments are unacceptable at Sidmouth, becaue they have been associated with minstrelsy in the past? And if not, why not? Because if blacking up is unacceptable on her grounds, then so are bajoes. And frankly, I find that idea absolutely plain barmy.AS well as grossly offensive to musicians who play the relevant instyruments, whether they are white, black or khaki.