Theatre provides ‘psychological well being first aiders’ for viewers members upset by harrowing play
Theatre-goers are becoming increasingly used to seeing productions slapped with trigger warnings.
But one top London theatre has now gone further, ensuring ‘mental health first aiders’ are on hand for audiences attending a harrowing new play.
The Royal Court is also providing a ‘quiet space’ for theatre-goers to retreat to before or during performances of Guess How Much I Love You?
There is also the opportunity for a ‘post-show decompression’ – and it is believed to be the first time such a range of measures have been provided.
Audiences are handed a card listing nine potential trigger warnings as they take their seats at Luke Norris’s heart-wrenching play about baby loss and pregnancy complications.
Starring newly Bafta-nominated Robert Aramayo, 33, and theatre star Rosie Sheehy, 30, it has already won rave reviews.
But theatre-goers might consider whether they want to put themselves through it given the volume of ‘audience care’ on offer. A message on the theatre’s website reads: ‘Please ask FOH [front of house] if one of our Mental Health First Aiders is on site to check in if you are struggling or need support.’
It continues: ‘Should you require a quiet space before and during the show, please ask FOH to direct you to these designated areas.’
The Royal Court is providing a ‘quiet space’ for theatre-goers to retreat to before or during performances of Guess How Much I Love You?
It also offers audience members ‘post-show decompression’, during which ‘the theatre will remain open for ten minutes to allow the opportunity to de-compress after watching this performance’.
Contact details of several charities are listed, should extra support be needed, and nine detailed trigger warnings are highlighted.
They include ‘depictions of grief, mourning, and emotional collapse’, as well as ‘discussion of baby post-mortem and organ donation’ and ‘discussion of disability and use of ableist language’.
Others warnings listed are ‘raised voices, high anxiety, and distress’, and ‘strong language and intense atmospheres’.
Theatres are increasingly imposing detailed and sometimes bizarre warnings on productions in a bid to preserve audience members’ mental health.
