Regina's Globe Theatre says its policies on communicating with schools will be updated after a number of students walked out of a recent stage production due to its sexual content.
Those spectators left partway through a sold-out matinee of Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer on May 6, allegedly due to sexual elements like a scene in which a cast member is pole dancing on stage.
In a prepared statement, Globe said that moving forward, it will require signed waivers from principals to make certain "we are diligent in ensuring our plays are well understood by any schools attending our matinees."
Regina Public Schools confirmed in an emailed statement that some of its students were among those who exited the show early because teachers felt the "level of graphic sexual content moved beyond what was acceptable" or previously disclosed about the performance.
Globe Theatre holds matinee shows for schools as part of its educational programming, which is open to students across the province. Globe confirmed that the May 6 show was attended by several schools from Regina and other communities.
"The division relies on teachers using their professional judgement and we fully support the decision they made in this instance," said the statement. "Regina Public Schools' priority is to our students, and this Division would never intentionally expose students to inappropriate content."
Globe says warnings were offered
Globe's statement said all the schools that sent students to the performance were informed of the play's content, which was rated for age 14+ due to "language and sexual content."
In its synopsis, the theatre describes Little Red Warrior as a "subversive 'trickster' comedy featuring important issues about land-back politics" that uses humour and satire to tell a story of justice and unexpected romance.
"The Globe Theatre stands by all our programming choices and the incredible artistry in Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer," reads the theatre's statement.
Globe said all students in attendance on May 6 were in Grade 10 or up. The theatre's staff called schools beforehand to explain the show's content warnings and offered the script to read in advance, according to Globe. It added that teachers were also advised about seating students in the section closest to the stage, where the performer would be pole dancing, according to Globe.
The Regina public school division said it had students from Campbell Collegiate and Scott Collegiate at the show. School staff had checked previews, interviews and information on Globe's website and felt the play "was a satirical farce combined with a romantic comedy that aligned well with various curricula."
