Post by Feologild Oakes on Nov 18, 2021 17:17:17 GMT
Grease musical scrapped by PLC and Scotch over concerns about ‘offensive, sexist and anti-feminist’ content
Two elite private schools have scrapped their co-production of the smash-hit musical Grease after girls raised concerns about the show being sexist and offensive.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College students voiced their apprehension about going ahead with the production in a joint statement with Scotch College.
“A number of PLC students raised concerns whether the musical was appropriate in modern times,” PLC principal Cate Begbie and acting Scotch College headmaster Peter Burt said in a statement.
“Scotch College listened respectfully to the girls’ concerns and both schools agreed a different musical would be better suited for their joint production in 2022.”
The schools have not announced what will replace Grease.
Some parents said not all students were given the opportunity to weigh in on the debate about cancelling the production, referring to a “small minority” of PLC students who found Grease to be “offensive, sexist and anti-feminist”.
They said cancelling the show was a mistake and suggested the content could have been rewritten to suit modern audiences. Several Perth schools have put on the musical in the past few years with no concerns reported.
The musical was released as a film in 1978 starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles as two 1950s teens reunited as high school seniors after a summer fling and attempting to rekindle their romance despite being from vastly different cliques.
After arriving at Danny Zuko’s school as a prim and proper girl, Sandy Olsson transforms into a biker chick, donning a skin-tight black catsuit and leather jacket by the end of the movie.
The leading lady opts to switch up her look while Danny also ditches his biker persona to become a jock for her, with many fans insisting it’s sexist because she was the one who vastly changed her appearance.
It had previously been claimed that Grease promoted a questionable representation of women and the argument gained traction in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Also under scrutiny was the controversial lyric “Did she put up a fight?” from the song Summer Nights, which some have claimed could be a reference to sexual assault or rape.
Newton-John hit back last year at claims the musical was sexist.
“It’s a story from the 50s, where things were different,” she said.
“Everyone forgets that, at the end he changes for her, too. There’s nothing deep in there about the #MeToo movement.
“It’s a movie and it’s a fun story and I have never taken that too seriously.”
thewest.com.au/news/perth/grease-musical-scrapped-by-plc-and-scotch-over-concerns-about-offensive-sexist-and-anti-feminist-content-c-4569157
Its a bad movie, but this is just stupid.
Two elite private schools have scrapped their co-production of the smash-hit musical Grease after girls raised concerns about the show being sexist and offensive.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College students voiced their apprehension about going ahead with the production in a joint statement with Scotch College.
“A number of PLC students raised concerns whether the musical was appropriate in modern times,” PLC principal Cate Begbie and acting Scotch College headmaster Peter Burt said in a statement.
“Scotch College listened respectfully to the girls’ concerns and both schools agreed a different musical would be better suited for their joint production in 2022.”
The schools have not announced what will replace Grease.
Some parents said not all students were given the opportunity to weigh in on the debate about cancelling the production, referring to a “small minority” of PLC students who found Grease to be “offensive, sexist and anti-feminist”.
They said cancelling the show was a mistake and suggested the content could have been rewritten to suit modern audiences. Several Perth schools have put on the musical in the past few years with no concerns reported.
The musical was released as a film in 1978 starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles as two 1950s teens reunited as high school seniors after a summer fling and attempting to rekindle their romance despite being from vastly different cliques.
After arriving at Danny Zuko’s school as a prim and proper girl, Sandy Olsson transforms into a biker chick, donning a skin-tight black catsuit and leather jacket by the end of the movie.
The leading lady opts to switch up her look while Danny also ditches his biker persona to become a jock for her, with many fans insisting it’s sexist because she was the one who vastly changed her appearance.
It had previously been claimed that Grease promoted a questionable representation of women and the argument gained traction in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Also under scrutiny was the controversial lyric “Did she put up a fight?” from the song Summer Nights, which some have claimed could be a reference to sexual assault or rape.
Newton-John hit back last year at claims the musical was sexist.
“It’s a story from the 50s, where things were different,” she said.
“Everyone forgets that, at the end he changes for her, too. There’s nothing deep in there about the #MeToo movement.
“It’s a movie and it’s a fun story and I have never taken that too seriously.”
thewest.com.au/news/perth/grease-musical-scrapped-by-plc-and-scotch-over-concerns-about-offensive-sexist-and-anti-feminist-content-c-4569157
Its a bad movie, but this is just stupid.
