Censorship in UK theatre

1. Censorship before and after the Theatres Act of 1968 Censorship in UK theatre

2. Brief history • Censorship of plays entrusted to Lord Chamberlain since 1737 • Measures were originally a method to prevent political satire • By the 20th century, had become the moral arbiter of the stage • Increasingly concerned with homosexuality in 50s (the term “up periscopes”, for example, was considered inappropriate) • Theatres Act of 1968 removed censorship, except in criminal cases of obscenity

3. Consider: • Why was so much importance attached to moral censorship before the 60s? Why did this change? • Why was homosexuality considered particularly problematic • By 1958, the Lord Chamberlain had conceded that “it is no longer justifiable to continue the strict exclusion of this subject from the stage”. How do you think he differentiated between the kind of references he would allow, and the kind he wouldn't?

4. 1951 letter from Lord Chamberlain to Laurence Olivier: “...the introduction in plays of new vices might start an unfortunate train of thought in the previously innocent.” • "The main reason given for lifting the ban is that the general public is much more outspoken and broadminded than it was and that to ventilate vice and its tragedies would be to the general social advantage."

5. In a 1958 secret memorandum to his team of censors, the Lord Chamberlain wrote that: • "Serious and sincere" references to homosexuality would be allowed • "We would not pass a play that was violently pro-homosexual" • "We would not allow 'funny' innuendo or jokes on the subject" • "We will not allow embraces between males or practical demonstrations of love." • "We will allow the word 'pansy', but not the word 'bugger'"

6. Post-1968: chapters from a history of self-censorship What situations can you imagine that might lead playwrights/theatres to self-censor? Can you think of any examples of artistic controversy from recent times?

7. Jim Allen, Perdition (1987) • About Zionist collaboration with Nazi Germany during WWII • Claims some Jews kept silent about the holocaust in return for passage to Palestine • Royal Court Theatre cancelled production shortly before due to start

8. Thomas and Lee, Jerry Springer: The Opera (2003) • Notable for swearing, irreverant treatment of Judeo-Christian themes • Gay Jesus • Troupe of tap dancing KKK members • Huge protest from Christian community after BBC2 adaptation • Courts dismissed attempts to bring blasphemy case against head of BBC

9. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Behzti (Dishonour) (2004) • Caused violent protest at a Birmingham theatre • Offending scene was a rape in a Sikh temple • The play was stopped due to violent nature of protests, and Bhatti went into hiding

10. Howard Brenton, Paul (2005) • Brenton had faced problems in 80s, taken (unsuccessfully) to court for “simulating” gross indecency on stage in a play set in Roman Britain (rape) • Paul, about Saint Paul, subject of considerable complaint from Christian groups • Theatre received 200 letters of complaint before opening night • Play went ahead

11. Richard Bean, Up on Roof (2006) • During Mohammed cartoon controversy • Play features riot in prison, with Jesus Christ as one of the characters • Contained several references to Mohammed • Theatre “utterly scared shitless” • References cut by playwright in order to avoid potential controversy

12. Richard Bean, England People Very Nice (2009) • Deals with problems of immigration • Featured racial stereotypes • Largely secular protest • No changes made to play

13. References - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-features/7572604/Censorship-in-the-theatre.html - http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article4775754.ece?&EMC-Bltn=B9QEK9 - http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/aug/26/exhibition.gayrights