Theatre 'should be offensive'

The National Theatre's artistic director has said causing offence is part of the "business" of theatre.

Audiences "do not have the right" not to be offended by works of fiction, Nicholas Hytner said in the wake of the closure of a play following protests by the Sikh community.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre said it was forced to cancel Behzti following violent demonstrations that threatened the safety of its staff.

But Mr Hytner said theatres and audiences did not endorse difficult subjects such as rape or murder just because they were in a play.

"The Western theatre was invented in Athens precisely to put on stage feelings that were too dangerous to experience in real life," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"Works of the imagination are designed to provoke powerful feelings. Through the theatre, those feelings are exorcised.

"The giving of offence, the causing of offence, is part of our business."

He added it was "desperately sad that we live now in a climate where the taking of offence is thought to be sufficient excuse for violence and intimidation".

Other leading arts figures have warned theatres may steer clear of plays that could be controversial. MORE...