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Parental guidance

Editor: I have a comment regarding the White Rock Players’ Club pantomime, Pinocchio. I feel the families of our community must be warned.

Editor:

I have a comment regarding the current White Rock Players’ Club pantomime, Pinocchio, which I would like published in the letters section of the newspaper. I feel the families of our community must know and be warned.

My mother, who has had a career in – and is an avid supporter of  –the performing arts, took my seven-year-old daughter to opening night.

Knowing it was a pantomime did concern me, but once I researched the webpage of the players club, I noticed they specifically state in the opening paragraph of the description that “songs, dances and audience participation are sure to delight all ages from 6 to 106.”

Then to hear there was a main character who was a male dressed as a women teacher who was extremely over-the-top trampy, as well as the constant sexual innuendos – for example, you can imagine what they portrayed Pinocchio’s growing nose as – and then to have my daughter talk about it the next day… very disturbing.

Now, to be clear, I understand all about pantomimes, and my mother, who is English, comes from a theatre background, and we have no problem with the production or the story or with pantomimes in general, But to advertise that it is suitable for six-year-olds – let alone anyone under 12 – is quite disturbing.

Why are they not required to place a rating of PG-13 or something similar to warn those of us with small children, especially when it comes to children’s stories?

I do wish the production success. They have regularly produced great pieces, but I ask, please, attract the appropriate audience.

From a loving father.

Grant O’Kane, White Rock