Bard news as flakes take on Shakespeare: Globe Theatre gives audience trigger warnings over 'upsetting' Romeo and Juliet - and even provides a Samaritans helpline number for after the show
London's Globe Theatre has come under fire for giving audience members trigger warnings about 'upsetting' themes in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - and even providing a number for the Samaritans for after the show.
The Globe - which is on the site of the Bard's original playhouse - alerts the audience before performances that suicide, drug use and fake blood feature in a production of the tragedy running from June to October.
Theatre staff even provide audience members with a Samaritans helpline number and the details of mental health charity the Listening Place in case they need emotional support after watching the play.
London's Globe Theatre has come under fire for warning audience members about 'upsetting' themes in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - and even giving a number for the Samaritans if they need emotional support
Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo and Juliet
The play, written by Shakespeare in the late 16th Century, tells the story of lovers whose desire to transcend the rivalries of their families fails when Romeo kills himself after wrongly believing Juliet is dead.
However, the Globe's measures have been branded 'barmy' and 'wokeness gone mad', with Tory MP Pauline Latham telling the Sun: 'This is absolutely ridiculous. How have we come to this after so many years of Shakespeare?'
On its website, the Globe 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.
'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.'
The play, written by Shakespeare in the late 16th Century, tells the story of lovers whose desire to transcend the rivalries of their families fails when Romeo kills himself after wrongly believing Juliet is dead. A production of the tragedy is running from June to October
William Shakespeare died in 1616 after penning 38 famous plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night and As You Like It
Former minister Ann Widdecombe said: 'You don't go to see Romeo and Juliet if you want a light-hearted evening.'
Actor Christopher Biggins added : '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.'
In a statement, the Globe told the paper: '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.'
William Shakespeare: The playwright, poet and actor whose reputation transcends all other writers
William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely believed to have been the greatest dramatist of all time.
The playwright continues to occupy a position unique in world literature as someone whose reputation transcends that of all other popular writers.
He is credited with producing 39 plays, 154 sonnets and three long poems.
His plays, the most famous of which include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Othello, have been translated into every major language.
They are performed thousands of times a year by actors all across the world and are studied by millions of students across the UK and elsewhere.
William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely believed to have been the greatest dramatist of all time
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
He married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and had three children with her: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.
At some point between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare began a career in London as an actor and writer.
He was the part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who later became known as the King's Men.
They built the Globe Theatre, in Southwark, South London, at which they performed many of Shakespeare's plays.
The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613 but rebuilt the following year before being closed in 1642 and then pulled down.
A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named 'Shakespeare's Globe', was built less than 800 feet from the site of the original theatre and opened in 1997.
At the age of 49, Shakespeare is believed to have retired back to Stratford, before he died three years later.
However, there are scant records of his private life and considerable speculation continues about his exact physical appearance.
Some questions have also been raised about whether all the works attributed to him were in fact written by others.
William Shakespeare: The playwright, poet and actor whose reputation transcends all other writers
William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely believed to have been the greatest dramatist of all time.
The playwright continues to occupy a position unique in world literature as someone whose reputation transcends that of all other popular writers.
He is credited with producing 39 plays, 154 sonnets and three long poems.
His plays, the most famous of which include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Othello, have been translated into every major language.
They are performed thousands of times a year by actors all across the world and are studied by millions of students across the UK and elsewhere.
William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely believed to have been the greatest dramatist of all time
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
He married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and had three children with her: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.
At some point between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare began a career in London as an actor and writer.
He was the part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who later became known as the King's Men.
They built the Globe Theatre, in Southwark, South London, at which they performed many of Shakespeare's plays.
The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613 but rebuilt the following year before being closed in 1642 and then pulled down.
A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named 'Shakespeare's Globe', was built less than 800 feet from the site of the original theatre and opened in 1997.
At the age of 49, Shakespeare is believed to have retired back to Stratford, before he died three years later.
However, there are scant records of his private life and considerable speculation continues about his exact physical appearance.
Some questions have also been raised about whether all the works attributed to him were in fact written by others.