Theatre / tobacco factory theatres
Theatre show cancelled due to ‘unprecedented threats and abuse’
A family show about sex and relationships has been cancelled following a backlash that saw theatre staff targeted with “unprecedented threats and abuse”.
The performance by ThisEgg was due to take place at Tobacco Factory Theatres early next month but will now not go ahead in the wake of a campaign that saw more than 39,000 people sign a petition calling for it to be scrapped.
The Family Sex Show, which was made in consultation with the School of Sexuality Education, faced criticism from commenters on Mumsnet and former actor and Reclaim Party founder Laurence Fox, who is a strong advocate for freedom of speech yet took to social media to call for the performance to be cancelled.
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Taking to Twitter after the cancellation of the show, its creators said they had also been threatened. They expressed regret that “a small group of people” has prevented families from opting to attend something that was “transparent, consensual and legal”.
Billed as “a show for families about sex and relationships”, the performance was for children aged five and up and focused on the subject of “sex, exploring names and functions, boundaries, consent, pleasure, queerness, sex, gender and relationships”.
It was due to open at the Tobacco Factory Theatres and was also due to run at Bath Theatre Royal’s The Egg, as well as Norwich Festival.
In a statement on their website, the Tobacco Factory Theatres team said: “Performances of The Family Sex Show by ThisEgg at Tobacco Factory Theatres have been cancelled.
“This is due to the unprecedented threats and abuse directed at our building and team.
“We are sorry for the disappointment this causes to those who’ve booked. You will be contacted and refunds will be made available.”
Responding to the news in a Twitter thread, ThisEgg said: “These public performances would have offered safe and positive learning to children, young people and guardians about rights, bodies, sex and relationships, advised by safeguarding and educational specialists
“Audiences were given information about the content before booking, so that they could make an informed decision to watch the show.”
They continued: “We believe that what has happened is reflective of structural and societal attitudes towards Relationships and Sex Education as well as art, culture and who is allowed to create and what we are allowed to engage with in the UK.
“The creative team will spend the next two weeks finishing the show, ready for a time it might be able to meet a public. We also want to respond to the events of the last few weeks and how we move forward.
“Removing work that celebrates freedom of expression from stages cannot be the answer.”
ThisEgg also mentioned there will be performances for an invited audience in Bath and indicated they hope to hold public shows in the future.
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