'Romeo and Julian' school play sparks PC debate

Albion 69 · 27-02-2009, 10:27 AM

A school has been accused of "mind-blowing" political correctness after it staged a homosexual version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - called Romeo and Julian.

The play was performed by teenagers at a mixed school in east London to coincide with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) History Month. The original text was reworked to incorporate the gay twist by the comprehensive's drama teacher, Jo Letson, to raise awareness of homophobic bullying.
However, the version, which was praised by actor Sir Ian McKellen when he saw it last month, caused a stir in parliament on Thursday.
Calling for a debate on political correctness during questions on upcoming Commons business, Tory MP Philip Davies said: "This is mind-blowing.
"Anyone with an ounce of sense would want their children to be learning Romeo and Juliet rather than Romeo and Julian......

Sir Ian, himself a leading Shakespearean actor and spokesman for the gay rights group Stonewall, said he had been "moved" to watch children addressing homophobia on stage.
He said: "It was moving to watch young people wanting to tackle homophobia in their own ways at Leytonstone School.
"Romeo and Julian" provokes just the sort of discussion which is needed on gay issues but beyond that the school in all its departments is determined to make an environment where all students can achieve their potential, regardless of their sexuality."

Gay 'Romeo and Julian' school play sparks political correctness debate - Telegraph

If they want to indoctrinate .. sorry i mean teach young people about the issues surrounding Homosexuality they should include the less sanitised stories of the Gay scene in London .... Time Out London Reports on the Spread of Hard Drug Abuse, Unsafe Sex, AIDS and HIV in London's Gay Community .... perhaps re write the play ending so both main characters die .

**Opinionated** · 27-02-2009, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Albion 69

A school has been accused of "mind-blowing" political correctness after it staged a homosexual version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - called Romeo and Julian.

The play was performed by teenagers at a mixed school in east London to coincide with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) History Month. The original text was reworked to incorporate the gay twist by the comprehensive's drama teacher, Jo Letson, to raise awareness of homophobic bullying.
However, the version, which was praised by actor Sir Ian McKellen when he saw it last month, caused a stir in parliament on Thursday.
Calling for a debate on political correctness during questions on upcoming Commons business, Tory MP Philip Davies said: "This is mind-blowing.
"Anyone with an ounce of sense would want their children to be learning Romeo and Juliet rather than Romeo and Julian......

Doesn't actually say it was being "taught" does it? It sounds to me that this was an extra-curricular activity, and Romeo and Juliet has been re-written many times, would "West Side story" elicit the same reaction?

Sir Ian, himself a leading Shakespearean actor and spokesman for the gay rights group Stonewall, said he had been "moved" to watch children addressing homophobia on stage.
He said: "It was moving to watch young people wanting to tackle homophobia in their own ways at Leytonstone School.
"Romeo and Julian" provokes just the sort of discussion which is needed on gay issues but beyond that the school in all its departments is determined to make an environment where all students can achieve their potential, regardless of their sexuality."

Remove the fact that this was based on Shakespeare and call it an extra curricular play about homophobia and there's not much of a story is there?

If they want to indoctrinate .. sorry i mean teach young people about the issues surrounding Homosexuality they should include the less sanitised stories of the Gay scene in London ....

Something to agree on, sex education should certainly include emphasis on risky behaviour (not only a Gay issue btw as evidenced by the alarming rate of HIV infection in heterosexual young people).

perhaps re write the play ending so both main characters die .

Can't decide if you're being funny not, if the teacher re-wrote the play to the extent that the characters survived in the end then it's only real similarity to Shakespeare would presumably be the title.

**TellMeMore** · 27-02-2009, 10:56 AM

Another MP trying to make a name for himself, they're just embarrassing aren't they. If the school choose to address homophobia in this manner and none of the children were coerced into doing it, what's the issue?
If it helps to stop bullying of some children (who are gay, whether or not that offends you) then surely that is a good thing.

'the less sanitised stories of the Gay scene in London' - rubbish.
It's Romeo and Juliet they're amending, not 'the story of O'.
I heard about this on the radio yesterday and one of the teachers involved was interviewed. This is not a Frankie Goes to Hollywood video, it's a story about relationships and love, not sex.