National Theatre is forced to warn visitors after elderly woman FAINTS during Cate Blanchett play filled with sex and extreme violence
- Theatre-goers are being warned about Cate Blanchett’s S&M-themed play
- When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other also stars actor Stephen Dillane
- People have been queuing outside the National Theatre since 3am for tickets
- Audience warned production contains adult themes and violent, sexual scenes
Theatre-goers have been warned about particularity graphic and violent scenes in Cate Blanchett’s new West End play.
The Hollywood actor is currently on stage in The National Theatre’s sell-out production, When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other.
But an email has now been sent to ticket holders in the wake of Wednesday night’s preview, warning them to be aware of ‘distressing’ ‘adult themes and violent scenes of a sexual nature.’
Cate Blanchett and Stephen Dillane in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other
Cate, 49, is starring alongside Game Of Thrones’ Stephen Dillane in the production, which features explicit simulations of sexual acts including an orgy in a car that culminates in violence against women.
An elderly woman was taken to hospital after fainting during the show on Wednesday night.
While it remains unclear what caused her to pass out, the theatre subsequently sent an warning to email to other ticket holders about the graphic nature of the production, according to The Times.
The National Theatre says the play features six characters ‘acting out a dangerous game of sexual domination and resistance.’
Audience member Samuel Tucker said it was ‘sexually explicit and incredibly violent’.
He told the Times: ‘The whole thing is a bit much, to be honest.
‘It is so in-your-face violent and so in-your-face sexual and if you are not about that life, it might come across as shocking.’
The hotly-anticipated show has seen people queue outside the London box office from 3am in the morning to get their hands on cheap tickets.
Demand for the show starring the A-list actor was so high they are now available via ballot only.
Some fans eager to see the star have travelled from America to watch the show while others have been setting up camp outside the Dorfman Theatre to get their hands on tickets.
Samule Tucker wrote on Twitter: ‘For the first time in my life, I am going to the loony who queues outside from crazy O clock to get me a ticket for When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the National Theatre.’
Tickets for the show starring the A-list actor (pictured in October) are available via ballot only, given the high demand
The National Theatre has sent an email to ticket holders warning them about the show
Another fan tweeted: ‘If When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other doesn’t have a New York transfer. I will cry.’
According to the National Theatre, the play ‘explores the messy, often violent nature of desire and the fluid, complicated roles that men and women play’.
The play is based on Samuel Richardson’s 1740 novel, Pamela, during which ‘six characters act out a dangerous game of sexual domination and resistance’.
The production, written by Martin Crimp, is set to run for six weeks at the Dorfman Theatre from January 16 to March 2 next year.
It has been a busy creative period for Cate, with the two-time Oscar winner recently signing on to star in the new FX limited series Mrs America.
The National Theatre has been contacted for comment.