Theatre fans warned about ‘upsetting’ Romeo & Juliet themes and given Samaritans number in incredible act of wokery
THEATRE fans are being warned about upsetting themes in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet — and given a number for the Samaritans if they need emotional support.
In an amazing act of wokery, London’s Globe Theatre alerts the audience that suicide, drug use and fake blood features in its performance.
Ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe said tonight: “This is barmy.”
Veteran actor Christopher Biggins tonight blasted theatre chiefs for warning that Romeo and Juliet contains upsetting themes, saying: “It’s wokeness gone mad.”
The star, 72, who has performed the Bard’s work, said: “If you’ve got to give warning signs for Shakespeare where do you stop?”
Audience members at the Globe Theatre in London are given a Samaritans helpline number in case they require emotional support after watching its modern version of the tragic love story.
The Globe — on the site of Shakespeare’s original playhouse — warns: “This production contains depictions of suicide, moments of violence and references to drug use. It contains gunshot sound effects and the use of stage blood.”
Tickets cost up to £59 and staff have provided details of mental health charity the Listening Place.
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The theatre adds: “If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this production of Romeo and Juliet please find details below of organisations offering advice and support.”
But Biggins said: “Do we have to have signs for everything under the sun. It’s a joke. What they are trying to do is insulting to the mentality of theatre-goers.”
Biggins, who has appeared in Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, added: “You go to the theatre because you want to go and see something, I don’t know anyone who goes on a whim, and says let’s go and see what this is like.”
Ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, 73, agreed, saying: “You don’t go to see Romeo and Juliet if you want a light-hearted evening.”
Conservative MP Pauline Latham said: “This is absolutely ridiculous. How have we come to this after so many years of Shakespeare?”
The play — written in the 1590s — tells the story of a couple from rival families.
The pair’s desire to overcome hate fails when Romeo commits suicide after wrongly believing Juliet is dead.
The Globe said: “Ola Ince’s critically acclaimed production brings the play into today’s world, with an ‘anti- romantic’ Romeo and Juliet.
“Our production does not shy away from how relevant this story is for our current societal struggles.
“As we’ve chosen to focus on mental health, and utilise direct techniques that may be affecting to some audience members, we wanted to provide information to those who may need it.”
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