Why Ralph Fiennes says theaters should dump trigger warnings
Ralph Fiennes, the celebrated actor known for his roles in films such as “The English Patient” and the “Harry Potter” series, has criticized theaters for displaying trigger warnings before shows. The 61-year-old theater star argued that these well-meaning messages “spoil the surprise” for audiences and reflect a trend in which people are becoming “soft” and less open to being shocked.
Ralph Fiennes’ Concerns Over Trigger Warnings
Fiennes recently drew attention to the issue after London’s The Globe theater issued a trigger warning for its production of “Romeo & Juliet,” citing “upsetting” themes. Fiennes expressed skepticism about the necessity of trigger warnings, asserting that it was not something that was common in the past. He maintained that the essence of theater is the element of surprise and the often unsettling emotions it can provoke in an audience. He believes that warning the audience beforehand removes this crucial aspect, something he strongly disagrees with.
An Unprecedented Shift in Theater Etiquette
During a recent appearance on BBC1’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg,” Fiennes emphasized his point, citing that in his time, trigger warnings weren’t a thing. Relying on his own experiences, Fiennes contended that these warnings inconveniently strip away the spontaneity of performances, which he views as an integral part of the experience. He pointed out that Shakespeare’s plays, which he described as full of murders and horror, never came with warnings even though they contained deeply disturbing scenes. His strong stance is that the unanticipated nature of live theater is what adds to its allure and impact.
Wrapping Up Fiennes’ Argument
Fiennes acknowledged that certain physical effects such as strobe lighting should be communicated to the audience due to potential health concerns, but he firmly reiterated that Shakespeare’s plays, with their intrinsic rawness and emotional intensity, should remain unspoiled by any anticipatory nudges to the audience. Essentially, what Fiennes, the theater stalwart, has been hinting at is that trigger warnings might dilute the very essence of theatrical performances and take away from their raw, unfiltered power, which has resonated across generations.
And as Fiennes stridently points out, it’s the shock, the unpredictability, and a sense of unease, wrapped within the craft of storytelling and stage performances, that make theater truly electrifying and resonate with audiences on a deep, visceral level.