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By Jack Nichols
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Sydney, Australia—A kiss shown between two heterosexual schoolboys, according to
The Sunday Sun-Herald here, has caused ripples of concern in educational circles across
New South Wales. The kiss is being showcased in a new play titled R.J. ,an adaptation
of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
R.J. presents, says the Sun-Herald, "the famous love story through the eyes of four
Australian schoolboys, but the play takes a twist when two of them kiss."
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Leo starred as Romeo in 1996, but not in a version like the one now playing in New South Wales, Australia |
Bell Shakespeare Company and director John O'Hare, whose company performs
R.J. at the Opera House responded to the fact that school groups had raised some concerns about
its effect on attendees at the play's teen-packed matinees.
Violence in the schoolyard –bullying or abuse—O'Hare told reporters, makes R.J.
"essential" contemporary educational material.
O'Hare revealed to the Sun-Herald that a number of schools had telephoned, asking about the
male/male kissing scene but that none had, as yet, cancelled.
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The director explained that the play's characters are heterosexuals,
although their first sexual experiences are, in the play, with members of their own sex.
He notes that "a lot of people have experiences like this in their adolescent
years. It's all part of the Australian experience."
Adults, O'Hare expects, will mostly deny strong feelings they've once known for a best
friend during their post-pubescent years, or the buried fact that they may have explored one
another sexually.
O'Hare also explained how, in the case of this particular play, art could be observed
coming to the rescue of young people who are currently caught up in the making of
unnecessary and fruitless shows of culturally-induced violence.
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Related Sites:
The Sunday Sun-Herald
Romeo & Juliet
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Parents are already said to be much divided over the same-sex nature of the play,
but many have agreed, nevertheless, that such a potent educational tool may well be needed.
No parental indecisiveness is expected to be on display, however. There will be those rigid religionists,
allows the Sun Herald, who'll call loudly for the play's closure. Still, other parents, predicts
the optimistic newspaper, those who "want their children to explore issues surrounding bigotry,
will appreciate it."
"Can you imagine what it's going to be like when two heterosexual boys in school
uniform kiss each other?," asked the play's director.
"The place is going to erupt."
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