Judi Dench Criticizes Trigger Warnings in Theatre - "If You're That Sensitive, Don't Go To The Theatre"

Judi Dench has recently spoken out on trigger warnings in the theatre and thinks that if people are too sensitive, maybe they should just stay at home.

Dench was surprised to learnt that audiences are routinely warned about potentially distressing content, including abuse, violence, and loud noises.

Dench told the UK’s Radio Times: “Do they do that? It must be a pretty long trigger warning before King Lear or Titus Andronicus.”

She added: “I can see why they exist, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theatre, because you could be very shocked. Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?”

Dench isn’t the only actor that feels this way. Ralph Fiennes previously said theatregoers had “gone soft”.

He explained: “The impact of theatre should be that you’re shocked, and should be that you’re disturbed, I don’t think you should be prepared for these things. It’s the shock, it’s the unexpected, that’s what makes an act of theatre so exciting.”

Even Sir Ian McKellen railed against the use of trigger warnings in theatres, saying: “I think it’s ludicrous. I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behavior on stage.”

I just assumed people who got to the theatre to watch a show know what they are getting themselves into when they show up.