I’ve written here recently about what great fun is the DTC’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. My son, a fifth-grader, also shared his opinion of the show. So a FrontBurnervian sent me the following question:
I know you liked Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, so I need your considered advice. My wife has a friend who wants to take her fourth-grader to the play, but has heard that there are parts that aren’t appropriate for younger kids. She called the theater to ask what, and they told her it was sexual content, and advised her not to bring her child. But they won’t be specific. She’s in a quandary. She would love to take her kid, but she’s a little bit unnerved by the fact that the theater itself advises her not to bring her kid — but won’t tell her specifically what content has the potential to offend. Can you help? Is there [redacted] going on, or what?
The only thing I can think of that might be objectionable: near the end of the play, when Bottom kills himself repeatedly (and hysterically), one of the methods he employs is cutting off his penis. The act is pantomimed. As I say, it’s funny. Most fourth-graders would crack up and not have a problem with it at all. I find it very odd that the box office folks would advise someone not to bring a fourth-grader. I mean, it’s fourth-grade humor. (I mean that in the best possible sense.)
