Warning, May Offend!

Not this message so much (although I am sure there are plenty of people who get offended whenever I pop up in their box) but moreso our next production. "Mojo" is a very funny comedy set in a 1950s London nightclub, populated by gangsters. There are naughty words in the play, racial and sexual slurs, blasphemy and vivid descriptions of genitalia and bodily functions, but all done in the best possible taste :-)

However, we realise that some people may not appreciate the humour, and are intending on putting a disclaimer on the publicity material. That being the case, we thought that such a topic might stimulate an interesting discussion. What's your favourite warning? What would make you stay away from a show? What would intrigue you into going to a show? Here are some ideas - any others?

Warning - Adult Themes

Language May Offend

Recommended For Adults Only

Strong Language and Adult Themes

This Play Is Not For Everyone

Guaranteed To Offend

Stay Away If Easily Offended

Not Recommended For Everybody

If Easily Offended, @!#$ Off

Warning: Very Funny But Very Rude


JB

I don't particularly agree with putting warnings on advertising material for shows. If anything I tend to mention warnings in press releases with the line "contains strong language and adult themes" etc...
My experience has found that placing warnings on publicity materials tends to keep patrons away with them not knowing and experiencing what the show is all about. In effect decreasing your bottom line on box office income. At least get them to the box office first. Your box office staff should have some understanding on what the show is and recomend to the patron if they ask.

Example: Last year as General Manager of the Riverina Theatre Company we produced Borderlines with Griffin Theatre Company. This production contained three new Australian works including The Return by Reg Cribb, which is being produced by the Perth Theatre Company very shortly. Each play does contain strong language and adult themes - we did not advertise the fact. In return, much stimulating debate, great word of mouth and strong box office . The audience were taken on a journey and out of their comfort zones. It was a departure from recent theatre offerings.

Regards,

Rohan Shearn

Personally, I wouldn't like to rely on just a warning on press releases. A lot of publicity goes out on a direct mail basis, to members, friends of theatres, etc. They probably won't ever see a press release, and therefore will have absolutely no idea that the show contains 'undesirable' things.

I understand that warnings may turn patrons away before they get to the door, but that must be preferable to the hassle for everyone involved if they walk out at interval - demanding their money back - and then tell all their friends how awful the show is (very bad publicity). All because a few well-placed words would've alerted them to the fact that "this show may not be for you".

Anyway - my favourite warning would have to be "This show is not for everyone" or even "This show may not be for you" (as mentioned earlier).

It causes me to ask: "Why not?" "Who is 'everyone'?" "Am I classed as 'everyone'?" "Do I want to be 'everyone'?" "Do I ever want to admit that I'm part of 'everyone'?" And it would probably pique my interest enough to go along just to see.

Warnings like "Strong Language" could be misleading. 'Strong language' to the little old lady from the local church group is going to be vastly different to 'strong language' as considered by someone like ...... um, my brother, for example (for those of you who know him).

And to list, individually, the warnings that this show should have (having read the script), the press relase would have to be about 3 pages long! :)

LouiseCC

And then there's always:

"If you're easily offended, and you still come along, you will enjoy the interval"

Rohan wrote:
-------------------------------
My experience has found that placing warnings on publicity materials tends to keep patrons away with them not knowing and experiencing what the show is all about.

Jeff --->
Doesn't seem to effect Cinema Advertising. A simple MA or R rating tends to INCREASE bums on seats, and maybe that's what it is all about. Not a WARNING such as 'contains explicit language', but something simple as a rating. Then that might introduce the curiosity factor -- "Hmmmm, I wonder why?"

I know plenty of theatre goers who would be more inclined to attend a show that was mysteriously MA then one that told rthen WHY it was MA.

Theatre productions, like TV and film, need to be incorperated into the Ratings.

If one is to use warnings, then make explanitory without defining. Something like, "WARNING: You may be shocked" or "Prepare to be insulted". It's a challenge rather than a DANGER DANGER BEWARE WILL ROBINSON type thing.

Come to think of it, Warnings hasn't really changed smoking either. Hmmm..........

Jeff "Out of his box" Watkins

I feel that in this day and age of political correctness?! you must inform the public about the language and themes. A warning can work both ways and it is up to PR to target audiences. However in saying that I feel that some potential patrons may miss out on great shows because of this. Soulution? er on the side of caution rather than giving the box office hassles, publicity will have to work hard on the special ones.

Warning tags for "Mojo"?
How about....

·Naughty Subjects Mentioned

·Give Grandma A Heartattack and bring her to.....(title)

·Politically Incorrect (it may not be true, but this is a crowd-puller...so-to-speak)

·If you're offended by the word 'bollocks', sod off from this play.

·Naughty Bits Mentioned. Repeatedly

·This Play May Harm Your Unborn Baby

·There's a sh¡t load of swearing in this.

....okay, I'll stop now.

My all-time favourite disclaimer was thought up by an English band called The Wildhearts. On every one of their of CDs they had a sticker which read:

"Warning! This CD contains language which some of you
may find offensive, even though you use it yourselves."

Says it all, really.

Warning: Very Funny But Very Rude