Woke theatre alerts viewers their new pantomime is likely to be ‘cheeky’
A woke theatre that once pulled a song about vegans from their pantomime over bullying fears has has issued a new trigger warning for this year’s Christmas show alerting audiences the show may be ‘loud and cheeky’.
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire says that some of the jokes in their Aladdin pantomime might offend people and audiences are being pre-warned that the panto might be loud too.
It is now offering a ‘relaxed’ panto for those likely to be offended.
The content warning on the theatre’s website states: ‘Panto is a lot of fun but sometimes it can be a little bit loud and a little bit cheeky with some jokes that only grown-ups will understand.
‘Please bear this in mind if you are bringing anyone under the age of 5 or anyone with a nervous or more sensitive disposition.’
The panto runs from November 29 to January 12.
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire says that some of the jokes in their Aladdin pantomime might offend people
The pantomime is being performed at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham
The content warning on the theatre’s website states: ‘Panto is a lot of fun but sometimes it can be a little bit loud’
An Everyman Theatre spokesman told NeedToKnow: ‘Our priority is to ensure that all audiences have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
‘Especially during the festive season. Including content warnings whenever possible on event descriptions is now standard practice across many theatre websites.
‘It serves as a helpful reminder to ticket holders that pantomimes, while fun and family-friendly, can sometimes contain innuendo or moments that may be overwhelming for younger children or more sensitive audience members.
‘By providing this information upfront, we empower our guests to make their own decisions on whether or not performances are suitable for everyone in their party, so that all can enjoy the magic of Christmas together.
‘In addition to our main pantomime, we also offer alternative programming specifically tailored for younger audiences or anyone who may find the full pantomime experience too much.
‘This year, we are presenting The Elves and the Shoemaker in our Irving Studio Theatre, designed for ages three to seven.’
‘We are also offering relaxed pantomime performances on Thursday 9 January at 10:30am and 4:30pm where the environment will be adapted to create a more comfortable experience for those who may benefit from a relaxed atmosphere.’
Last year, the same theatre was pulled into a vegan storm of their own making.
The theatre pulled a song from Mother Goose after several audience members complained that the lyrics about vegans would lead to bullying.
The song apparently said that the ‘G in vegan stands for gassy, while the A stands for either anaemic or annoying’.
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham dropped a song used in its performance of Mother Goose after members of the public complained about its vegan theme
Patrons complained the song which described vegans as ‘gassy’ could lead to bullying
The performance of Mother Goose in Cheltenham was forced to change one of its songs
The theatre said: ‘Our pantomime Mother Goose is a live production which is constantly being refined and improved.
‘The creative team behind this year’s production continuously evaluates all aspects of the performance in order to create the best, most entertaining experience for the audience possible.
‘Pantomime is a uniquely collaborative art form where the audience is very much a part of the show and we respect all of our audiences views and comments.
‘The relationship between our amazingly talented cast and the audience is what makes pantomime special and makes each and every performance a singular live event.’
Last year, an Aladdin pantomime with an all-white cast and featuring the lyric ‘come on down to our oriental town’ was condemned as racist.
The production starred Scott Sutcliffe as Aladdin, Coronati
