New Poll - Theatre Ratings

Latest new poll - should there be a ratings classification for theatre, like there is for films?


The Poll-tergeist

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Hi Craig

An interesting question! I'm inclined to think it might not be a bad idea - even if only so that people seeing a Nudity in Kalamazoo posting can check the rating to see whether this is just exploitative advertising or whether they really should take blindfolds and earmuffs for the little ones. Or for example whether similar precautions should be taken when taking their children along to your latest production.

;-)

I'm not in much doubt about XXX opening at the Enmore in Sydney next month:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/18/1074360620705.html?from=storyrhs

I can't see that anything other than self regulation according to an agreed ratings scheme would be the way to go.

Cheers
Grant

Thou puny beetle-headed burn-bailey!

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Hi Craig,

I think there's something wrong with the poll 'machinery'... my vote has not been registered - twice! For the record I'd like to vote "No Regulation Necessary" (that category is sitting on '0' votes - wouldn't be the work of the 'Political Correctness' fairies, would it?)

:o)

Regards,

Jason

Grant Malcolm wrote:
>
> Or for example whether similar precautions should be taken when
> taking their children along to your latest production.
> ;-)


You'd be surprised at how the phones at Barking Gecko have been running hot with inquiries from worried parents as to whether His Majesty really will go the full monty in front of their 5 year olds...! (The answer is a kind of obvious no...but obviously not THAT obvious, hence the inquiries!)

I guess this says something about how the public perceive current moral standards in theatre, even for kids....and the poll question (not one of mine, by the way) is an interesting one because most of us as practitioners probably abhor the idea of censorship...but perhaps the viewers are entitled to be forewarned by some type of standards classification or regulation..?



And by the way Grant, I've had a few complaints that some votes have not been registered by the poll engine....are you able to check if this is a bug?


Cheers
Craig

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crgwllms wrote:
> You'd be surprised at how the phones at Barking Gecko have
> been running hot with inquiries from worried parents as to
> whether His Majesty really will go the full monty in front of
> their 5 year olds...! (The answer is a kind of obvious
> no...but obviously not THAT obvious, hence the inquiries!)

I'm sure we all share your relief.

;-)

> And by the way Grant, I've had a few complaints that some
> votes have not been registered by the poll engine....are you
> able to check if this is a bug?

It was, I'm afraid. Appears to be functioning fine now.

Cheers
Grant

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I don't think so much a "rating" as clear notification on publicity materials that there is "adult content" or whatever. Knowing some of the synopsis of the play doesn't always tell you if it contains scenes you'd prefer not to take your mother-in-law to see (if you indeed have an idea what it's about). So, maybe not a "G" or "MA" rating more a "V", "L" or "A" kind of thing. Movie ratings don't always work anyway. Anastasia was a G-rating when it came out I believe, but how scary was that stuff for little kids?? I think it's since been changed to PG.

Yes, there are people who couldn't care less, but there are also a whole bunch who love theatre, but within their own parameters. I know part of the reason we actors do our thing is to challenge the way people see themselves and their society, once again, some people don't want a challenge, so we should respect that.

Hence, I didn't vote, as the voting was a bit too black/white, and this is much more of an electric blue (who needs grey?).

Jess

The following article from the Sydney Morning Herald regarding the production of 'XXX' in Sydney:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/04/1075776097736.html

Two points:

1. QUOTE: "In between, the capacity crowd at the Australian premiere of the Spanish theatre troupe La Fura dels Baus's provocative show, XXX, in Melbourne last night, was treated to incest, cunnilingus, fellatio and graphic scenes of pornography projected onto the back of the stage."

Question: How would you know it was incest? All I can think of is a sort of flashing red graphic proclaiming "INCEST! INCEST! INCEST!" - but then, I'm not all tha subtle! :o)

And much more relevant to this discussion:

2. QUOTE: "Yesterday, the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification granted an R-rating to XXX's 20 minutes of pre-recorded explicit footage. However, an announcement before the show, explaining that the footage had been modified to achieve the rating, drew boos from the audience."

COMMENT: This is where I vote a resounding NO to any sort of 'regulation' of the content of Theatre productions. The audiences clearly don't want it, the 'impact' of this show (it could be argued) was 'lessened' by the submission to censorship.

And frankly, at what point are WE allowed to govern what WE see?

We rail at the idea of some faceless bureaucrat in Canberra deciding how much tax we should pay, or how much funding the Arts should be denied this year, yet submit "sheeplike" to THEIR sense of 'moraility.'

Certainly, I would have thought, one of the most personal, private and profound parts of life is in the discovery of what you will personally accept, or NOT accept? And the only way to know is to 'experience' it, presumably.

I'm not for a moment saying this production gives us palpable experience- but it certainly looks as though it could make its audiences think about the continuous hypocrisy surrounding this subject!

Or maybe they're just in it for the cash!

Regards,
Jason

P.S Interesting to note that the only place they actually had 'moralistic outrage' over the production was in London. There, it seems, a different kind of 'watchdog' has been set up to regulate the public sensibility - fascinating it was the tabloids - Page 3 Girls and all!

Jason Seperic wrote:
>
> Question: How would you know it was incest?

I imagine once a play or film footage establishes character relationships, it's not too hard to then demonstrate incestual behaviour...even without the benefit of speaking English.



> 2. QUOTE: "Yesterday, the Australian Office of Film and
> Literature Classification granted an R-rating to XXX's 20
> minutes of pre-recorded explicit footage. However, an
> announcement before the show, explaining that the footage had
> been modified to achieve the rating, drew boos from the
> audience."
>
> COMMENT: This is where I vote a resounding NO to any sort of
> 'regulation' of the content of Theatre productions. The
> audiences clearly don't want it, the 'impact' of this show
> (it could be argued) was 'lessened' by the submission to
> censorship.




I agree it all seems a bit extreme to get irate over the content, when you can't give a much clearer warning than naming your show "XXX". I'm sure the audience all had a reasonable idea that they weren't going in to see a Disney movie.

This is all I'd ask of a 'censorship' rating...not that the content is modified, but simply that I am given ample warning of the type of content to expect. I can then make my own decision whether or not to attend.


Cheers
Craig

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crgwllms wrote:
>
> Jason Seperic wrote:
> >
> > Question: How would you know it was incest?
>
> I imagine once a play or film footage establishes character
> relationships, it's not too hard to then demonstrate
> incestual behaviour...even without the benefit of speaking
> English.

I *was* being a bit tongue in cheek - which I guess is an unfortunate turn of phrase considering the subject matter! ;o)

Fair answer, though!

Jason

Whoa, Jason! chill out!!

I did ramble around the point a bit, but essentially, what I am saying is that I agree with Craig (and he said it far more succinctly).

Of course names like "XXX" and a few others are obvious, so rating seems a little unnecessary.

That's my piece.

Oh, no it's not. Grant, do we usually get these replies in our email inboxes, or is it a function that's optional?
Ta.

hmmm... think you got the wrong end of the stick :o)

Actually didn't read your post - my posting was about the SMH article.

Regards,
Jason

Hi all,

I was the one who suggested the rating system for the latest poll. I love drama and have been involved with childrens drama for many years, so my background is founded on experiance and practice.

The poll in question arose when I took my family 3 children, to see a drama and was taken back by the content of the presentation.

I am selective about what I and my children see but
often there is no detail in the papers or advertisement about what
content or story line is in the presentation.

After my experaince I began to email a request from the directors or organisers for information, but this is proving too hard for some and
as a concerned parent who would love his children to follow through with acting and live drama, I thought this would help the like of parents like me.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Danny...

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Should there be a theatre ratings classification system, like they have for films?

133 participants over 3 weeks.
We seem to have lost a few votes due to an early poll glitch.

42 votes / 36% - No, it's fine without ratings.

41 votes / 35% - Yes, something similar to film ratings

19 votes / 16% - Yes, but who is going to assess a show and assign the rating?

10 votes / 8% - Yes, there should be a new system invented for theatre

4 votes / 3% - undecided


The largest single group say No, but actually the majority say Yes in one form or another.

From the discussions, I think most believe the content ought to be rated...perhaps warnings like "medium level violence" or "adult language" etc. Actual censorship is another argument altogether, and it seems many people are opposed to this, preferring to make up their own mind whether or not to attend. Of course, making up your mind requires being adequately informed in advance of the type of content to expect...does this diminish the surprise value, or enhance it? What's the effect on audience attendance figures when a show proclaims "Warning: Contains Nudity" ..?

When warnings like this are produced, it's usually the show's publicity department responsible...but it is probably an adequate example of self-managed ratings. Should shows be required to disclose their content? It seems most people say yes, and it's probably not hard to give basic warning of potentially offensive material.
I don't think it will have too much effect on audiences if they know a bit of what to expect, rather than being surprised. I know that everybody dies violently at the end of Hamlet, and that advance warning doesn't much effect my enjoyment of the piece.

As to deeming the precise nature of what may be held to be offensive, that could be harder....sex, violence, language, nudity, religious material, political viewpoints, racism, sexism, ageism, drug use, mistreatment of animals....or just bad blocking...


The Poll-tergeist

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