To let DD swear loudly on stage

[brotherhoodofspam]

DD (12) has been offered a reasonably big part in a local drama group production. It's not a kids play but has children in it. At one point she has to shout "Fuck off" at the top of her voice. They've said they could change it if we're not happy but having read the script I can see it's a pivotal moment and would lose impact if they did. DH and I are not strangers to the odd expletive but I'm struggling to imagine it coming from my baby! Also, how do we prepare the grandparents for it who are all keen to come and asking for the dates etc (? advise then to leave hearing aids at home/they've mis-heard). WWYD? Am I being a prude even thinking twice about this? DH says she should go for it.

[Wolfiefan]

It is a line in a play. You say yourself the swearing is for specific impact. I wouldn't worry.
Dont let her rehearse in the garden at full volume!

[AlanPacino]

Go for it! I don't think there's any link between using swear words in a stage production and ending up being homeless and hooked on crack as an adult Just casually mention it to family beforehand if it will make you feel less uncomfortable.

[OrlyIC]

Sounds like you and she have talked it through and she is mature enough to understand the impotrance of that line. Kids know these words from a young age of course. I think I'd let her do it but I understand your concern.

[cariadlet]

DD is also 12 and we're also having discussions about language recently (she went through a phase of using "bloody" in front of me which I said wasn't acceptable, and I know that she hears - and occasionally uses - a lot worse when she is at school). She's also in a local drama group so I can completely empathise with your situation.

Could it be changed to "Piss off"?.tbh I wouldn't want dd using that language either, but it's not as bad as "Fuck off" (especially for grandparents to hear), but would still sound powerful coming from a 12 year old.

[saintlyjimjams]

It's a line in a play, it's fine.

Ds2 has been on stage with very adult themes (although the boys weren't allowed to see certain scenes) & had to say cock in a film (which he thought was hilarious).

Unless she's self conscious about it it's fine (ds2 did ask to work with a younger group when given the choice once - he sort of straddled the ages - because he said the older group were working on adult themes & he felt quite uncomfortable). So don't force her, but if she's comfortable with it I wouldn't worry.

[perplexedpirate]

Of course let her do it.
At 12 she's plenty old enough to know that what is appropriate in one setting may not be in another.
I can't imagine asking for the script to be changed would be in her best interests, especially if this is something in which she wants to progress.

[EastMidsMummy]

If you want your daughter to take her participation in the play at all seriously, she should unhesitatingly shout "Fuck off!" loudly and proudly at every performance. (I am surprised the director has even suggested that she might not.)

The integrity of the play is far more important than the Grandma's delicate sensibilities. Why did the playwright wrote that line coming from a child's mouth? Precisely because it is shocking - a pivotal moment, as you say. That's the point.

Don't be a prude. Let her do it. Prime your parents. Enjoy the play.

[WayneRooneysHair]

Let her do it, some of the language child actors have to say in TV shows etc would make the grandparents toes curl

[Pardonwhat]

I can't imagine this being an issue. Of course let her do it.

[brotherhoodofspam]

Thank for all the advice and for understanding. I will let her do it, she's happy to but did look a bit uncomfortable when I mentioned Gran was looking forward to coming. Will just make sure she's primed before hand.