01-08-2025
Edinburgh Fringe Macbeth has trigger warnings for ‘violence and swearing'
A performance of Macbeth at the Edinburgh Fringe has trigger warnings for violence and swearing.
Audience members for the Shakespeare play were given the warning in the latest example of what critics have described as a 'creeping malaise' against creativity.
The play, produced by the New Zealand-based Barden Party performance company, is described as a 'thrillingly, saucy rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragedy'.
However, the listing on the Fringe website also warns that the show involves 'audience participation, distressing or potentially triggering themes, scenes of violence, strobe lighting and strong language/swearing'.
It is the latest in a number of productions warning of a play's contents despite the texts being widely known and having been performed for centuries.
'Most people have read Macbeth'
Posters for a performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Fringe, from a different theatre company, warned audiences that it contained depictions of death. Bard In The Botanics, the production company behind the play, told audiences to expect 'violent scenes, depictions of knife crime, domestic violence, suicide and death'.
Critics have said the trigger warnings leave theatregoers 'infantilised' and claimed they risk 'dulling discourse'.
Fraser Hudghton, the director of Free Speech Union Scotland, told The Telegraph: 'I should imagine most attendees will have read Macbeth at school.
'Perhaps 'triggering themes' refers to audience members' memories of when they had their head flushed down the toilet or were forced to pick a partner in PE for Scottish country dancing? It seems pretty unlikely they won't know what the play is about and be bowled over in shock, given it is one of the most famous dramas in the English language.'
Gigs cancelled
It comes amid a row over freedom of expression at the festival after a Jewish comedian was cancelled by a venue for attending a vigil for victims of the Oct 7 attack.
Philip Simon, who was set to perform his show Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way? at the Banshee Labyrinth, was cancelled after the venue looked at his social media pages and found posts saying that it was powerful to 'stand strong against terror' and a post warning that Oct 7 rape victims were being forgotten.
The venue told The Telegraph: 'If we hadn't found anything of concern he would obviously still be performing with us.'
Mr Simon said the only opinion he had expressed on the Gaza conflict was a desire for peace and to see the hostages freed.
Days earlier, he and Rachel Creeger, another Jewish comedian, had their gigs cancelled from a separate venue, Whistlebinkies, after bar staff said they felt 'unsafe'.
In a speech to arts executives ahead of the start of the Edinburgh International Festival, John Swinney, the First Minister, said he would 'always protect' freedom of expression.
However, he appeared to suggest the venue that cancelled Mr Simon and Ms Creeger's shows was right to do so.
He told reporters: 'I think the individual venues will make an assessment of their circumstances and the issues around security that might need to be considered.'
