Woman faints during Cate Blanchett's return to London theatre due to scenes of extreme sexual violence
The National Theatre has since issued a warning to ticket holders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cate Blanchett’s return to the London stage has caused a stir after an audience member fainted midway through a preview performance.
The Times reports that an elderly woman was taken to hospital after passing out midway through The National Theatre’s graphic production of When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, which reportedly features sex toys, an orgy taking place in a car, and violence against women.
Speaking to the publication about the incident, Samuel Tucker, a fellow audience member who helped the fainted woman, called the production “sexually explicit and incredibly violent right from the start”.
“The whole thing is a bit much, to be honest,” he added. “It is so in-your-face violent and so in-your-face sexual and if you are not about that life, it might come across as shocking.”
Blanchett stars alongside Game of Thrones alumni Stephen Dillane in the adaptation of Samuel Richardson’s 18th-century novel Pamela.
The National Theatre previusly said the play “breaks through the surface of contemporary debate to explore the messy, often violent nature of desire and the fluid, complicated roles that men and women play”.
Blanchett has an extensive career on stage as well as starring in films including Notes On A Scandal, Blue Jasmine and Ocean’s 8. She last performed on the British stage in 2012 in Big and Small at the Barbican.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments