Ralph Fiennes calls for end to woke trigger warnings at theatres and says performances SHOULD leave viewers ‘shocked and disturbed’ – as he suggests audiences have ‘gone too soft’

Actor Ralph Fiennes has called to end trigger warnings at threatres suggesting that audiences have ‘gone too soft’. 

The Harry Potter star, 61, said that stage performances should leave audiences ‘shocked and disturbed’ adding that the element of surprise is ‘what makes threatre so exciting’.

Trigger warnings ahead of performances have become increasingly commonplace in recent years, warning audiences of violence, abuse, bereavement, loud noises and even references to smoking.

Fiennes has now joined his peers, such as Lord of the Ring’s star Sir Ian McKellen and actor Christopher Biggins, to call for the excessive warnings to be axed.

When asked by BBC‘s Laura Kuenssberg is audiences have gone too soft said: ‘I think audiences have. We didn’t used to have trigger warnings.

‘There are very disturbing scenes in Macbeth, terrible murders and things, but I think the impact of theatre is that you should be shocked and you should be disturbed.

‘I don’t think you should be prepared for these things and when I was young we never had trigger warnings before a show.’

The actor added that he would get rid of trigger warnings but would keep notifications about strobe lighting, and other props that could damage a person’s health, in place.

‘Shakespeare’s plays are full of murder and full of horror, and as a young student and lover of the threatre I never experienced trigger warnings like oh by the way in King Lea Gloucester’s going to have his eyes pulled out,’ he said. 

‘Theatre needs to be alive and in the present. It’s the shock, it’s the unexpected, that’s what makes the theatre so exciting.’

The actor, known for The English Patient, Schindler’s List and The Grand Budapest Hotel, is currently starring in an immersive touring production of Macbeth. 

Last year, Sir McKellen blasted trigger warnings after he ridiculed the signs at his own play Frank and Percy at The Other Palace in London.

A warning has been placed on the theatre’s website saying the show contains strong language, sexual references and discussions of bereavement and cancer.

The 84-year-old said: ‘Outside theatres and in the lobbies, including this one, the audience is warned “there is a loud noise and at one point, there are flashing lights”, “there is reference to smoking”, “there is reference to bereavement”.’

He added: ‘I think it’s ludicrous, myself, yes, absolutely. I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage.’

Bosses of the London’s world-renowned Globe threatre were slammed in 2022 after they provided warnings ahead of Shakespeare’s centuries-old play Julies Ceasar.

The Roman dictator was famously stabbed to death inside the halls of Rome’s senate which is a scene that features in the modern production of Shakespeare’s classic.

But the Globe – which is on the site of the Bard’s original playhouse – alerts the audience before performances that the show will contain ‘stage blood and weapons including knives.’

It warned: ‘Content guidance: Depictions of war, self-harm and suicide, stage blood and weapons including knives.’

Actor Christopher Biggins blasted the theatre: ‘Do we have to have signs for everything under the sun. It’s a joke. What they are trying to do is insulting to the mentality of theatre-goers.’

Former minister Ann Widdecombe added: ‘You don’t go to see Romeo and Juliet if you want a light-hearted evening.’

Yet the Globe has not been deterred by criticism of its pre-performance notifications. 

Last month those watching Antony and Cleopatra on the Thames-side threatre were warned that the play would show discrimination to black women.  

A trigger warning on its website says the play features ‘misogynoir references’ – a combination of ‘misogyny’ and ‘noir’.