A British children’s play aiming to give kids as young as five a wokified crash course in sexual education has been canceled before ever opening, after protestors petitioned for its shutdown.
The Family Sex Show, which was set to premiere at the Tobacco Factory Theater in Bristol, England on May 5, intended to explore gender, queerness, consent, and pleasure with child audience members.
The show, which was created under the guidance of “education and safeguarding specialists,” by ThisEgg, also featured full-frontal nudity in a “non-sexual” presentation.
“The Family Sex Show is a theatre show which opens up conversations around relationships,” the creator’s explained. “It is with an enormous sense of responsibility, compassion and caution towards children and their parents that we consider this an important piece of theater.”
Protestors dubbed the controversial play “wholly inappropriate” and “profoundly irresponsible.” A petition signed by more than 38,000 objectors urged the theater to shut the show down, and appears to have succeeded.
“Performances of The Family Sex Show by ThisEgg at Tobacco Factory Theatres have been cancelled,” the group announced in April. “This is due to the unprecedented threats and abuse directed at our building and team.”
ThisEgg responded to the show’s shutdown in a lengthy Twitter statement on April 19.
“It is regrettable that violent and illegal threats and abuse directed at the company and venues by a small group of people with extremist views has prevented families from opting to attend something that was transparent, consensual and legal,” they wrote.
“Removing work that celebrates freedom of expression from stages cannot be the answer,” ThisEgg continued. “Where do we go from here?”
Critics were quick to bash the company for attempting to put on a show that was a “horrific safeguarding fail.”
“I’m absolutely appalled. What on earth are you thinking?” One person wrote. “How to sexualise kids for ADULTS 101. Parents teach kids what they need to know WHEN they need to know it. Leave our kids alone!”
Trying (and failing) to imagine who on earth would take their kids along to see this show,” added another.
“So glad it’s canceled – shocking it was even contemplated,” someone tweeted.
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