Rachel Zegler's Evita criticised for ‘loud music' trigger warning
A West End revival of Evita includes a trigger warning for 'loud music and sudden noises'.
The production at the London Palladium, which stars Rachel Zegler in her UK stage debut, also warns audiences they could be upset by strobe lighting, flashing lights and haze.
Zegler, 24, plays the titular role of Eva Perón in a production of Sir Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber's musical, which follows the story of Perón as she rises from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America.
Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union, said: 'Warning fans of musical theatre that they may hear loud music and sudden noises is beyond parody. Just how stupid do theatre owners think their customers are?
'I cannot imagine someone who's paid £350 for a pair of tickets to Evita complaining that it contains loud music. They'd be more likely to complain if it didn't.'
Trigger warnings, which alert audiences to potentially upsetting material, have become an increasing trend in theatre productions over recent years.
Shakespeare's Globe issued 'content guidance' last year for a production of Antony and Cleopatra, warning that it contained 'depictions of suicide, scenes of violence and war, and misogynoir references'.
In 2023, an ableism trigger warning was added to A Midsummer Night's Dream after the Globe cast an actor with dwarfism, Francesca Mills. Producers explained that audiences may become distressed by Helena's famous line: 'Though she be but little, she is fierce.'
The theatre also attached a warning to a 2021 production of Romeo and Juliet over its 'depictions of suicide, moments of violence and references to drug use', plus gunshot sound effects and the use of fake blood.
Such warnings have been criticised by some of Britain's most prestigious actors.
Sir Ian McKellen scoffed at a trigger warning on a recent play, Frank and Percy, which mentioned strong language, sexual references, and themes of grief and death.
'I think it's ludicrous,' he said. 'I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage.'
Dame Judi Dench said last year: '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?'
Ralph Fiennes also added: 'We didn't used to have trigger warnings. There are very disturbing scenes in Macbeth, terrible murders and things, but I think the impact of theatre is that you should be shocked and you should be disturbed.'
Another talking point of the new Evita production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is Zegler's performance of the musical's best-known song, Don't Cry for Me Argentina, from the theatre's outside balcony on Argyll Street.
While her rendition has delighted members of the public, paying audience members have been forced to watch it on a screen via a live video link inside the theatre.
One person wrote on social media: 'Sorry, are you saying I've paid £350 for 2 tickets and she's singing the biggest number outside at people who haven't paid?'
Another said they 'go to the theatre to share the same space with a performer'.
The Colombian-American actress and soprano, who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Maria in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, starred in Disney's embattled ' woke ' Snow White film earlier this year.
She came under fire for describing the beloved 1937 animation as 'extremely dated' and likening the prince's behaviour to that of a 'stalker'.
There was added controversy over her clashing views with Gal Gadot, her Israeli co-star, on the war in Gaza, and she was forced to backtrack after scolding Donald Trump voters.
The London Palladium has been contacted for comment.
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