Heres the RSCs statement on the cancellation of BIBLE (abridged) in Newtown Abbey, Northern Ireland: We’re saddened and disappointed by the news today that the Newtonabbey Council’s Artistic Board has decided to cancel the performances of The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) on Wednesday 29th and Tuesday 30th April. This decision was taken after “concerns were raised by some elected members at the recent Policy and Governance meeting of the Council”. It is the first time since the show was written almost twenty years ago that we have had a venue cancel a performance. The show is a light-hearted and very funny celebration of The Bible. The RSC has toured the show extensively across Ireland, USA, and UK over the past 20 years, including two runs in the West End. The company has even performed the show at the Jerusalem Festival in Israel without objection. Hundreds and hundreds of clergy members of all denominations have seen the show since its premiere in 1995 and have both endorsed it and recommended it to their congregations. We do not attempt to “mock” the Bible, as reported, instead we attempt to celebrate the Bible in a two hour celebration of faith. Playwright Austin Tichenor, co-author of the script and one of the managing partners of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, said Our show is a celebration of all the great stories of the Bible. The theatre is our temple and were disappointed that people of all faiths will now not be able to gather at the Theatre at the Mill and lift their voices in communal laughter. We find it quite staggering that this type of censorship still appears to flourish in the UK and would like to apologise to all the audience members who bought tickets and are therefore unable to see the show. We’d also like to thank everyone for the hundreds of messages of support we have received. It’s a shame these voices are drowned out by the few dissenting, uninformed ones.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:40:15 +0000
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