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Re: Woo-Hoo! Coarse language & nudity

Wed, 16 June 1999, 02:17 pm
Walter Plinge9 posts in thread
Well, that bridge is coming up fast, and I'll be darned if it doesn't look like Chappaquidick.You'll remember how a woman stomed out of Blak Yak's last production, "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress". Well apparently, this woman has been ringing the City of Gosnells Don Russell Performing Arts Centre (Blak Yak's venue) and threatening the management with legal action because she was offended by our play. And here's the punchline: apparently it wasn't the occasional coarse language that caused the offense, but the lesbianism! That's right, this woman walked out of our play because an actress was portraying a lesbian. Understand that there was no physicality involved - whilst two of the bridesmaid characters were talking, it was mentioned that another of the bridesmaids is a lesbian.And THAT caused this woman to walk out and threaten subsequent legal action because she wasn't warned of "offensive material".Unfortunately, this has worried the management at the City of Gosnells Don Russell Performing Arts Centre and we are being asked to sign a new clause in our contract stating that all advertising must advise of "any strong language, sexual behaviour, homeosexuality (sic), nudity, racial or religious discrimination" (but drug use isn't mentioned so I guess THAT'S okay).Personally the entire situation has left me stunned. The word "incredulous" hardly begins to describe our feelings. I apologise if this sounds like I am airing our dirty laundry, but this IS a gossip page, the story WILL get around (not that there's anything secret about it) and I was naturally curious to see if other people were as offended as I am. Frankly, I don't know whether I'm more offended by this woman, or by the assumption that homosexuality is so offensive that we are being asked to warn people in advance that it MIGHT be mentioned. Surely there are sexual discrimination laws addressing this...Jarrod (doesn't know whether he's coming or going, Arthur or Martha) Buttery.

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