Decency in the Theater
Today’s world has crossed the lines of decency and virtue lots of times in any pieces of art that can only be possible to imagine. Explicit images, violence themes and far-from-being-elaborate language have become not only commonly used in movies and plays, but also are the most important subjects that draw attention of the audience and promises success. The art and film shooting change with the aim of reflecting the interests of the generation or filling the gaps between imagination and reality.
For a long time in the history, theatre has been the most specific place of entertainment for people of different status in the society. Actors tried to play the most prominent situations in the society to make fun or reflect public concerns. Taking into account that the limits of decency were not established at those times, and some subjects that were normal at that times, nowadays are considered to be offensive or explicit, one may come to conclusion that the development of theatre is not linear. It has a long and complex history with its ups and downs.
In order to determine whether theatre, art should institute a ratings system just as film and television industry does, one should look at it through the lens of its availability. Films and television are broadcasted easily into everyone’s house, and people often have no chance of knowing what this particular movie or TV program is about. Therefore, a ratings system is developed for providing a person with an idea what content he or she might be exposed to and warning parents about harmful scenes for their little children. In contrast, in the theatre, the audience is always aware about the approximate content of the play they choose. Thus, a ratings system loses its sense in the theatre. However, I do not think that its institution may somehow hinder the development of the theatre, assisting the public in making decisions.
At the same time, it seems obvious that the times of censorship are gone, and people are granted with a freedom of what to watch and to listen to. The idea of establishing censorship on any kind of information that is transmitted in the country via various means seems to breach human rights. Theatre as a whole or a particular actor should also be free from any kind of censorship. However, a ratings system should not in any case be considered as a censorship. It is rather a way to increase public awareness and warn it, but not to forbid watching.
Nowadays, one may see that sexually explicit theatre constitute a separate kind of theatre art. In the past, explicit plays were banned and subjected to censorship; nowadays such plays are attended and loved by the audience. The main reason is in changing values and perhaps wider accepting of the necessity of sexual education for people. Some of the plays, like the 1891 version of Spring Awakening, contain sexual scenes, while others, like Midsummer (2008), incorporate the idea of having explicit content, but avoid any debates about banning due to “deliberate changing of clothes on the stage” (Antonio).
Therefore, theatre should not be subject to censorship, but a ratings system also should not be considered as a means of it. It is rather a way of helping people make choices about the play. The modern art should not be framed, but develop in the way that will be accepted by all members of society.
Works Cited
Antonio. Sexually Explicit Theatre: A New Era. All Free Papers, 14 Mar 2011. https://www.allfreepapers.com/History-Other/Sexually-Explicit-Theatre-A-New-Era/2019.html
