Unpopular Opinion: Are Trigger Warnings Ruining Theatre?

Comfort zones often seem to be getting smaller. The latest twist in the realm of theatre is the debate over trigger warnings. The beloved Dame Judi Dench has jumped into the mix, joining the conversation started by Ralph Fiennes and Matt Smith.

Earlier this year, Fiennes suggested that alerting audiences to potentially distressing content before a play should be done away with. He believes the essence of theatre is to "shock" and "disturb," though he conceded that anything potentially dangerous, like strobe effects, should still be flagged. On the same note, Matt Smith concurred, pointing out that the reason we go to the theatre is to be jolted out of our everyday routine and see reflections of ourselves in the drama unfolding on stage.

In a recent interview with Radio Times, Dench echoed these sentiments. She expressed concern that extensive trigger warnings could dilute the raw impact of a performance. The idea that before watching a Shakespearean tragedy like King Lear, one would be subject to an exhaustive list of potential triggers seemed absurd to her. “If you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theatre,” she boldly stated.

Dench isn’t dismissing the importance of being considerate, but she fears that over-preparation can rob the audience of the fundamental experience of theatre – to be surprised and moved. She put it succinctly: “Isn’t the whole business of going to the theatre about seeing something that you can be excited, surprised, or stimulated by?”

While this conversation is undoubtedly divisive, it raises a poignant question: How much compromise is too much? Are we coddling audiences to the point that we're losing the essence of the art form?

One can't ignore the valuable perspective Dench brings to this discussion. Her point aligns with the belief that theatre should be a mirror held up to reality, with all its beauty and brutality. Although the intention behind trigger warnings comes from a place of empathy, there’s a growing concern that it might sanitize the powerful, unfiltered truths that theatre uniquely provides.

So, what's your take? Are trigger warnings in theatre a necessary shield, or are they stripping away the very elements that make this art form so compelling? Let’s keep the dialogue open and remember that at its core, theatre is meant to challenge us, evoke emotions, and perhaps make us a little uncomfortable – it’s all part of the transformative magic that keeps us coming back for more.

For those keen to venture out of their comfort zones this weekend, be sure to check out the Going Out section for a plethora of theatre recommendations and reviews. Embrace the unexpected – who knows what revelations await you in the theatre’s darkened hall?