Theatre tells triggered MacBeth viewers members to smell a perfumed tissue to take care of play’s ‘busy or noisy’ atmosphere
For many audiences, trigger warnings have become a regular – and deeply annoying – part of going to see a play.
But now theatres have come up with another way to ‘protect’ ticket-holders – and it’s a stinker.
Those attending Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Hull Truck Theatre were advised to ‘bring a favourite smell sprayed on a tissue to help them manage’ the play’s ‘occasional loud noises and changing lights’.
Theatregoers were also told that ear defenders would be given to anyone who needed them and that ‘sensory toys’, including weighted blankets and even wobble cushions, would be provided to help them cope with the ‘busy or noisy’ environment.
The modernised adaptation of the Scottish play – which ran in Hull throughout last month and is now playing at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton – warns that the show ‘includes mature and intense themes, gore and torture, depictions of violence and murder, death and suicide, and the practice of witchcraft’.
An 18-page guide to the production on the Octagon Theatre’s website contains a section entitled ‘Content to consider’, which lists dozens of potential triggers alongside the exact time at which they occur during the play.
A number of ‘sounds’ are listed, including ‘loud electricity buzzing’, ‘static sound’ and ‘frequent loud growling sounds’.
Triggers highlighted include ‘One of the Witches pulls a fake limb (a hand) from her bag and snaps off a finger’ and ‘Macbeth hallucinates and sees an ‘invisible’ dagger’.
The Hull Truck Theatre has come up with another type of trigger warning to ‘protect’ ticket-holders
Customers were advised to ‘bring a favourite smell sprayed on a tissue to help them manage’
Another says Lady Macbeth is seen ‘sleep-walking and sleep-talking about death and murder’ as ‘her mental health is declining’.
The guide adds: ‘During the play you might feel excited, a little bit spooked, or even sad at times.
‘That’s all okay. Shakespeare’s stories are full of big emotions! And although Macbeth is a darker tale, it reminds us how important it is to make good choices and listen to our conscience.’ Last month, the Royal Court theatre in West London enlisted ‘mental health first aiders’ for its production of Guess How Much I Love You?, which is about baby loss and pregnancy complications.
Hull Truck Theatre said: ‘The creation of Experience Guides is in line with our core values and our ongoing commitment to making our theatre welcoming, inclusive and accessible and we are really proud of them.’
