Wise vipers of MN, please help me sort out my thinking on this.
Has anyone seen it?
I have a visceral reaction that is possibly just irrational old-fashioned prudery. On the other hand, that’s an argument often used to shut down discussion - by either side.
On the one hand,
I am old.
2. I haven’t seen this production. I’m relying on a newspaper report.
3. I’m generally not in favour of censorship. Let consenting adults do what they like among themselves so long as they are not really hurting anyone.
4. The audience is given ample notice of what the show is.
5. There’s no suggestion anyone was co-erced into appearing, let alone watching.
6. There’s no suggestion that children are exposed.
7. I am so squeamish I can’t bear to watch Marina Abramovic’s body art
8. People watch horror movies where worse things happen, and it doesn’t make them do bad things to other people.
9. The producers can argue there is a clear intellectual basis so it's not gratuitous offence.
On the other hand
- I’m revolted. I go all Mary Whitehouse pearl-clutching at the idea of this being a public performance rather than something in an obscure members’ club.
- I worry that this sort of thing (shades of Father Ted) normalises outrageous behaviour
- It is clear that many people want to watch this sort of thing, attracted by the publicity.
- It is clear that much of the attraction is the real life element.
- It is clear that much of the attraction is that the participants are all women and we have enough problems already with (not all) men’s attitude to women.
- It is so decadent it feels like the last days of Rome…
So, is this any of my business, beyond simply deciding not to see it myself? Should I mind if it moved to my local theatre?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/18-treated-for-severe-nausea-in-stuttgart-after-opera-of-live-sex-and-piercing