Censorship in theatre has been a contentious subject for many years - centuries even - with it being right at the heart of a cancelled performance last year. 

While some argue that censorship protects audiences from potentially distressing or harmful content or themes, others believe it supresses creativity, silences artistic voices and puts a stop to societal progress.

For our Artistic Director, Rosemary Hill, theatre productions have become too safe. There is nothing truly pushing the boundaries. It is as though producers are deterred from putting something on stage that is controversial with fear of cancellation.

Theatre is a space to inspire, educate, provide opportunities, raise people up and get excited with new stories. If we don’t encourage storytelling with a difference, with subjects that stir people’s emotions and get them thinking and interested in new topics and stories, then our industry is never going to change.

Freedom of expression is essential in theatre. It allows creatives to push the boundaries on a range of topics and sensitive issues without fear of retribution.

By rolling out the same productions, musicals and the conveyor belt of revivals, theatre will only just survive. Surely audiences want more than what’s on offer right now.

Challenges for producers 

In Rosemary’s view, the job of a theatre producer is to be strategic in bringing a story to life. It’s about adapting and finding ways to be brave and bold in making creative decisions. It is always about pushing the boundaries to bring more thought-provoking and exciting theatre to the stage, whilst still being true to the story.

Isn’t theatre about having a voice and sharing a story? Should we really be limiting artists' ability to explore societal issues, education, history and intellectual development? 

Producers, of course, do not want to upset audiences, they want to raise awareness, open their eyes to new experiences, challenge topics, start conversations.

It is a very fine line of protecting audiences but preserving artistic freedom, and all while ensuring financial success too.

Making informed decisions

Can some of the decision making be given to audience members? Just like trigger warnings, which are in place to make audiences aware of potentially distressing themes in productions.

Instead of cancelling a production with a controversial element, could a trigger warning be used instead?  This would allow audiences to make informed decisions as to whether or not they will see the production.  Audiences take risks on performances, why can’t theatres?

Taking risks

Risk management isn’t down to the artist, it’s the decision of the Board. Since Covid, when funding support is low not many theatres want to take the risk of producing shows that could be controversial and not be financially viable.

Sometimes taking the risk can pay off. When theatres embrace new voices and narratives, and daring themes, they not only stay relevant but also inspire, provoke ideas, and create work that resonates far beyond the stage. After all, theatre is about change and transformation.

The cancellation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Last September, a new adaptation of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Stef O’Driscoll at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, was cancelled at the last minute. At the time the theatre cited references to the Israel-Gaza war and the phrases ‘free Palestine’ and ‘trans rights’ as the issues. 

This of course had the theatre industry up in arms. At The Play’s The Thing we were disappointed with the decision. 

Over the last few days, the theatre has written an apology to say it takes "full responsibility for the failings" after an independent review found “significant systemic organisational and leadership failures” at the venue. It is clear that censorship was not the only thing at play in the cancellation of the play.

Since the review, Stephen Freeman, the Chief Executive of Royal Exchange has resigned.   

Sometimes the industry does get things wrong. Just like the Royal Exchange did and the media outlets that covered the story.  Sadly, this mistake has come to the detriment of the artist, the cast and everyone involved in the production, plus audiences and communities who no longer get to experience the show.

Instead of cancelling challenging work with controversial themes, theatres should have open and honest discussions with writers and artists and offer content/trigger warnings allowing audience members to make up their own mind.

Theatre and the arts aren’t made for us to conform. We need to start taking risks and allowing artists to inspire audiences and spark those important conversations before it’s too late.