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A local adaptation of Jules Verne’s Around The World In 80 Days has been revised after parents in Cyprus cried foul over the show broaching homosexuality during a live performance in front of preteens.
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Local media said a mother in Cyprus, who spoke on Greek radio over the weekend, said she was concerned after her preteen daughter came home “confused” over a live performance by Cyprus Theater Organization (THOC).
A live performance of Jules Verne’s classic Around The World In 80 Days had to be revised after parents and politicians accused the show of woke liberalism over the inclusion of gay references.
'Theater, especially a children’s play, aims mainly at challenging kids, cultivating critical thought, and helping them understanding themselves in the world around them'
“There were a group of women running and you could see there was a man also running along in high heels,” the mother was told by her daughter.
The children’s play, which was directed by Marios Kakoullis, broached subjects of equality and self-esteem, where actors emphasized children “could be whatever they wanted to be.”
But the mother focused on two questions posed during the live performance after her daughter said she was confused, with one asking “is it okay for a boy to like another boy” and the other ““is it okay for a girl to like another girl.”
The questions drew mixed reactions from the young audience according to the mother.
National party ELAM also weighed in, accusing the show of promoting homosexuality.
The Education Ministry, which sponsors the show, told THOC they could carry on with the play provided they leave the controversial questions.
But the revision drew reactions from theater officials as well as members of the gay community.
Theater official Marina Mandri spoke of “censorship” and added this was a “very tragic” outcome.
“Theater, especially a children’s play, aims mainly at challenging kids, cultivating critical thought, and helping them understanding themselves in the world around them,” Mandri said.
ACCEPT, an LGBTI group in Cyprus, also criticized the decision by education officials.
“Unfortunately censorship has made us invisible again. The Education Ministry has made us disappear even from a children’s play because a small number of parents reacted upon hearing about a call to love towards every person regardless of gender,” ACCEPT said.
But the mother was adamant about her daughter’s state of confusion, saying the play “polluted their eyes, mind, and soul.”
“They went to watch a classic story,” she said, adding she was wondering whether the director wanted to confuse children.
