Complicated etiquette!

[CurlewKate]

I'm just about to watch a play with my son's girlfriend and her parents where he has very realistic simulated sex-several times. Finishing school did not prepare me for this eventuality!

Confused. Is your son in the play?

Sorry. Yes, my son is in the play. Doing the sex.

I should probably say he's 22!

If does seem he is acting in it.
I would try to find something light to say about it.

Can you excuse yourself to go to the toilet and stay there until it's all over?

@corlan It's 2 hours! And even the non sex bits are very sweary...

Take sleep blinkers with you, keep them on your head and pull down at the appropriate moments.

No need to discuss the sex scenes. Just focus on a positive aspect which you did enjoy, and deflect: ‘ I loved the scene with the friend in the bar- really well done, son. Very proud of you. Are YOU happy with how it went?’

But what do I say to her parents? I don't know them very well....

Nothing?

They're adults watching a play, if anything they'd probably rather you didn't discuss it with them "oh did you see Timmy thrusting away in act two, what gusto" 😂

Why do you need to say anything?

I would've thought it was far weirder/uncomfortable for you to watch your son acting out very realistic simulated sex-several times?

Discuss the play, the premise and the writing and not comment on the content or performance? Or, pull a sickie.

Are you sure he wants you to watch? 🤣🤣🤣

Very relevant information that would have been better included in the first post 😂

Thank you for coming. Timmy certainly did
It’s quite a bold play, isn’t it
Do you go to the theatre much?
What did you like most in the play?
I suppose we’ll all laugh about this at the wedding
What scene did you find the most uncomfortable?
Timmy just loves physical theatre, I want to support him but I can’t say I do
I imagine it’s much more fun for those acting than for us having to watch
Are you familiar with the works of (playwright)
Im afraid you’re seeing a very ripe example of Timmy’s acting talents, usually he plays a vicar
You’ll never want to come to the theatre with us again, will you

Oh, I thought you meant after the play if you see it separately. Some thoughts

• Just address it head on at the start in a light way ‘ I hear there are some racy scenes- he’s a bit nervous so I hope it all goes well for him’
• Make a joke ‘ I love seeing him act, although today I’ll be seeing more than any mother should. May need a stiff gin to start’ ( ok that was weak)
• Ignore it all together

Just say you had a terrible dose of the squits. That's still got to be less embarrassing than watching the play!

“How very different to the home life of our own dear Queen!”
And hope they see the funny side of it.

You'll just have to focus on some other element of the production, the atmospheric lighting or the realistic costumes perhaps?

My granny used to get up and say " shall I make a pot of tea" whenever things started getting ' steamy' in something on the TV. Perhaps you could nip out and get a round of drinks in for the interval when the grunting and humping starts.

I think this is what id go with! Head on, acknowledge it's a bit weird to see but keep it light.

-it's a great script, really gritty and pacy.

-Be warned though it's a bit raunchy in places, I might be covering my eyes at times! Timmy's a bit nervous about those parts but I'm confident he'll be fine

Break a leg Timmy!

This. My sons would have said" Love you ma but give this one a miss"

Dear god. Assuming there’s more than one performance, why on earth would you go WITH them??!! 😂

I think drinking is your only option here!

I'm not sure you should go. Somethings can't be unseen

Surely they know what the play is about?

Why are you embarrassed? I’m assuming that you are all grown ups and have had sex?