Ralph Fiennes, the acclaimed actor known for roles in Schindler's List and the Harry Potter films, has called for the scrapping of trigger warnings in theatre, arguing that audiences should be 'shocked and disturbed' by performances. Speaking on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Fiennes said that such warnings were not used when he was young and that theatre should deliver unexpected impact.
Fiennes, currently starring in a touring production of Macbeth, acknowledged that the play contains 'very disturbing scenes' but insisted that audiences should not be prepared for them. He noted that warnings for issues that could 'affect people physically', such as strobe effects, should still be provided. 'Shakespeare's plays are full of murderers, full of horror,' he said, adding that as a young theatre lover, he never experienced trigger warnings for scenes like Gloucester having his eyes pulled out in King Lear.
Fiennes is not alone in his criticism. Actor Ian McKellen previously called for trigger warnings to be scrapped after his play Frank and Percy at London's The Other Palace featured signs warning of loud noises, flashing lights, smoking references, and bereavement. McKellen described the practice as 'ludicrous' and said he enjoys being surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage.
Christopher Biggins also criticised trigger warnings after London's Globe theatre issued them before a performance of Romeo and Juliet. He called the warnings 'a joke' and 'insulting to the mentality of theatregoers'.
Fiennes also addressed high ticket prices, commenting on the reported £300 cost for Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre. He noted that his own production of Macbeth has 20% of tickets priced at £15-£20. The production has upcoming dates in London and Washington DC.
