Sir Ian McKellen condemns 'ludicrous' theatre trigger warnings on his own play saying he prefers to...
Ian McKellen Against Theatre Trigger Warnings: "I Like Surprises!"
Posting time: 12:00 BST, 28th of September of the year 2023 | Edited at: 12:53 BST, 28th of September of the year 2023
Sir Ian McKellen strongly criticized the use of 'trigger warning' signs on his play, calling it ridiculous. He expressed his disappointment towards modern theaters that try to overly protect their audiences.
The lead actor, who is 84 years old, is currently playing a role alongside Roger Allam in a play called Frank and Percy at The Other Palace in London. He made fun of the signs that provide guidance and stated that he would rather experience unexpected surprises.
The newest production he's put together explores the bond between a pair of elderly gentlemen who cross paths while wandering around Hampstead Heath. The website for the theatre where it's being staged alerts visitors to the fact that the play features explicit language, allusions to sex, and talks about both coping with loss and battling cancer.
In his interview with Sky News, Sir Ian discussed the play's warnings for the audience. Before entering the theater or in the lobby, the audience is informed that there will be a loud noise and flashing lights at one point during the performance. In addition, smoking and bereavement will be referenced in the play.
He stated that he found the idea completely absurd. Personally, he enjoyed being taken aback by loud sounds and unconventional performances during live shows.
At The Other Palace in London, Sir Ian McKellen (on the left) will be starring in Frank and Percy with Roger Allam (on the right). Sir Ian expressed his disagreement with the signs and stated that he would rather be caught off guard.
The theatre's website has issued a notice, cautioning viewers that the performance includes explicit language, sexual content, and talks pertaining to grief and cancer.
Sir Ian criticized the 'absurd' utilization of 'trigger warning' signs on his personal play and strongly criticized modern theaters for excessively protecting their audiences.
The actor who starred in X-Men and Lord of The Rings has criticized various aspects of modern theater production before.
Back in February, the renowned performer expressed his strong criticism towards jobs that he deemed as "irrelevant," specifically targeting intimacy coordinators for being responsible for corrupting the sanctity of contemporary theatre.
During an appearance on The Poet Laureate Has Gone To His Shed podcast, he informed Simon Armitage that theatre has undergone numerous alterations, and some of them have not been positive.
According to him, the newest addition to the industry is the intimacy co-ordinator. While it may not be compulsory yet, he believes there are scenarios where caution is necessary, making it challenging for individuals to be physically close. This is where an intimacy co-ordinator may come in handy.
'Why can't the responsibility be assigned to the director? Is it necessary to have a trained individual for the task?'
He further commented, "I can envisage circumstances where individuals may encounter challenges in being intimate, but why can't the director portray that? It's better to have as few people as possible in the way to preserve the genuineness of the scene."
In the past, Sir Ian spoke out against the use of trigger warnings. He particularly criticized their placement on fictional works found in university libraries.
Last June, the Daily Mail reported that Queen's University in Belfast had cautioned students enrolled in BA English course's Further Adventures in Shakespeare module.
The university cautioned that this play may provoke aversion since it portrays topics and illustrations connected to violence.
The actors in the spotlight for this particular production are Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood, who both star in the play Macbeth.
According to McKellen, some modifications made in theatre weren't necessarily an improvement.
The university has given comparable cautions to Shakespeare's plays Richard III, Twelfth Night, and Titus Andronicus.
Some of the top actors from Britain were urged to criticize the precautions as ineffective and avoidable. They emphasized that Macbeth, a play dating back to 1606, is especially favored among students.
In the blog post, it was mentioned that Sir Ian acted alongside Dame Judi Dench in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth back in 1976. He also shared that his sister, who works as a teacher, would often present Sir Trevor Nunn's TV adaptation of Macbeth to her teenage pupils.
She would close the window shades, begin the video, and exit the room while waiting for the initial outcry to occur. If the kids had been alerted about any content that may trigger certain reactions beforehand, the play's impact would have been significantly reduced.
He said: 'I recall conversing with a clergyman who witnessed several presentations of the theatrical exhibition at the Stratford Other Place. He would extend his cross during the show to safeguard the spectators from the wickedness produced by the ensemble. I guess these stimuli are somewhat comparable.'
Jenny Agutter, an actress from Call The Midwife, has performed in various Shakespearean plays such as The Tempest, King Lear, and Love's Labour's Lost. She expressed confusion on why there is a need for warning labels for Shakespeare's plays. Jenny has suggested that it should already be common knowledge that Shakespeare's plays explore the complexities of human nature, and as a result, should not be a shock or cause offense to audiences.
