No art is offensive, it should challenge us...

SHAKESPEARE has been interpreted in so many ways. There is not one Shakespeare. Each director has their own take and style.

We have almost become accustomed to living within tightened parameters of freedom these days. Being able to express opinions is being eroded. People are now accepting of this. This [the issue at the theatre] is censorship. The director’s freedom of expression has been fatally undermined.

My own view is that the very purpose of art (and I include all types, including cinema, literature, music etc) is to provoke audiences in some way, either intellectually or emotionally. People should be changed by art.

I know it sounds idealistic, especially when you think of rom-coms or action movies that don’t appear to challenge audiences. But actually they do: even making us laugh is effectively prompting a response.