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Content Advisory for SFA's Mainstage Productions
Part of the mission of the School of Theatre is to provide meaningful cultural and entertainment experiences for the university and the people of East Texas. In doing so with our Mainstage productions, we most frequently turn to widely recognized writers of the past and present, and because they tell the stories of people in conflict—stories that are, in a word, dramatic—their words and works are usually challenging and controversial.
We never seek to offend, but we recognize that people of various sensibilities and sensitivities might choose to avoid some of the language, situations and behaviors that some of these plays use or depict.
For this reason, we offer the following as a source of information, and we resolve here to make a good-faith effort to let patrons, parents and teachers know about the material in our Mainstage productions we believe is most likely to be of concern.
The Elephant Man
SYNOPSIS: Set in Victorian London, The Elephant Man is based on the true story of John (Joseph) Merrick, a young man grotesquely deformed from birth. Merrick had ugly protuberances of flesh on his enormously oversized head and over much of his misshapen body. In 1886, he was rescued from the freak shows by Dr. Frederick Treves and given a permanent home in the London Hospital. In the course of the play, Treves discovers that, under the hideous shell of his body, Merrick is highly intelligent with a poignant sensibility and a romantic imagination.
LANGUAGE: There is a modicum of potentially objectionable language in the production. Verbiage used includes "bastard" (once), "whore" (twice), "niggers" (used once by the pinheads as the Queens of the Congo), "Jesus" (said thrice by Merrick invoking help), and "Good Lord," "Christ," "Jesus," and "Gawd Almighty" (once each), used as exclamations and confirmations.
SMOKING AND DRINKING: As is the case with plays set in the late 1800s, some of the characters in the play socially drink wine and sherry and smoke cigarettes and a pipe. A cigarette case is given to Merrick as a gift.
SEXUAL CONTENT AND NUDITY: In the context of a physical examination and discussion of his condition, slides of the actual Merrick in the nude will be projected. Also, one actor and one actress will appear, at separate times, in a state of partial undress.
VIOLENCE: During the course of the play, verbal and physical abuse of the title character, Merrick, transpires.
FOR WHICH AUDIENCE: Although the thematic elements of the play will touch the audience with uplifting humanity, tragedy and compassion, the production is not suitable for pre-teens.
RATING: If it were a movie, The Elephant Man, would receive a "PG-13" rating because of the above factors and because the subject matter and plot is above the heads of those under the age of thirteen.
- Allen Oster