London Theatre's 'Trigger Warnings' Extend to Stage Props, Sparking Debate

Theatres in London are beginning to issue unusual content guidance, alerting audiences to the presence of everyday items on stage, such as toast and meatballs. The Old Vic, a prominent South London theatre, has added 'content guidance' on its website for its production of Alan Ayckbourn's 1969 play, "How the Other Half Loves," warning that the show "involves real food."

This guidance details specific food items used in the production, including Mr Organic Garden Pea & Vegetable Soup, with ingredients like peas (38%), carrots (3%), and celery (3%) listed. This marks a departure from typical allergy warnings, which focus on potentially severe reactions to ingredients like peanuts. While theatres commonly provide allergy information for hazardous substances, the inclusion of standard food items like toast, meatballs, avocado, and eggs under the umbrella of 'content guidance' has raised eyebrows.

This trend follows similar instances in other West End productions. In February 2023, The Young Vic alerted audiences to the "handling of a cooked egg" during their production of "Further Than The Furthest Thing." Additionally, The London Palladium faced public ridicule last year for informing patrons that "Jesus Christ Superstar" depicted a crucifixion, a central element of the musical's narrative.

Traditional trigger warnings are typically employed to prepare audiences for sensitive subject matter, including strong language, xenophobia, infant homicide, sexual violence, mental illness, and implied suicide. However, the extension of such warnings to include commonplace stage props has drawn criticism. Acclaimed actors like Sir Ian McKellen have described some trigger warnings as "ludicrous," while Dame Judi Dench has questioned their impact on the element of surprise in theatrical performances. The Old Vic, in its approach, categorizes these alerts as 'content guidance' rather than explicit trigger warnings, suggesting a nuanced approach to informing the audience about specific stage elements that might be of concern to some individuals.