Theatre bosses challenge a set off warning about on-stage nudity – of puppet
EXCLUSIVE: Audiences were told to brace themselves to see 2ft tall cloth puppet call Fred despite it having no eyes, mouth or naughty bits in the production of Meet Fred
It doesn’t even have parts . . .
Theatre bosses have issued a trigger warning about on-stage nudity, but for a bizarre reason. Audiences attending productions of Meet Fred were told to expect to see the star of the show in the buff.
But Fred is a 2ft tall cloth puppet with no eyes, mouth or naughty bits. That did not stop officials at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff rating the show ‘14+’ for ‘strong language, adult themes and puppet nudity’.
According to the advertising blurb the ‘darkly hilarious, critically acclaimed production’ followed cloth puppet Fred ‘just trying to live an ordinary life – get a job, find love, be part of society’. “But with his Puppetry Living Allowance under threat Fred’s world spirals out of control,” it said.
“How do you hold on to independence when the system pulls the strings? With biting wit, razor-sharp political satire, and moments of unexpected tenderness, Meet Fred is an unmissable comedy that has resonated with audiences across the globe.”
It said the show promised to make audiences ‘laugh, gasp, and rethink the world around them’. But it added: “Contains strong language and puppet nudity.”
Reviews hailed it ‘essential viewing for humans and puppets everywhere’, ‘sharp, funny and vastly entertaining’ with ‘brilliantly black’ humour. One critic said: “Prepare to be tickled and devastated in equal measure.”
Meanwhile The Royal Court Theatre in London’s Sloane Square is offering audience members who attend its production of Guess How Much I Love You counselling from ‘mental health first aiders’, the use of a ‘quiet space’ and 10 minutes of ‘post-show decompression’.
The crowd is warned to expect ‘raised voices, high anxiety and distress’ plus ‘strong language’, ‘intense atmospheres’ and ‘periods of full blackout’ during the show which starts on February 2.
The theatre says it will offer support from ‘mental health first aiders’ if ‘you are struggling or need support’ and a ‘quiet space’ should folk require it ‘before and during the show’.
It adds: “The theatre will remain open for 10 minutes to allow the opportunity to de-compress after watching this performance.”
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