Teacher stands by decision in row over opera's gay character
A HEAD teacher who has pulled children out of a community play in a row over a gay character has vigorously defended her stance.
Hundreds of children from Bay Primary School, Bridlington, have been withdrawn from Beached, an opera penned by renowned Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall.
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Emma Hobbs, head teacher at Bay Primary School, Bridlington.
Mr Hall has accused head teacher Emma Hobbs of discrimination in a row over the language used during a scene involving a gay character.
However, Mrs Hobbs said: "The gay character was not a problem. It is the language and the tone of the scene in question that were problematic.
"The emotional wellbeing of our children is my only concern in this matter."
The main character of Beached is an adult gay retired painter called Sewerby.
In one scene he is the victim of taunting by teenagers, in an exchange between adult performers.
Mr Hall has refused to remove some language from the scene, which Mrs Hobbs claims is offensive.
She said: "Mr Hall has never spoken to me and when I requested that he came to speak to the community to better understand our concerns I was met with a refusal.
"When families send their children to school they are placing their trust in me and my staff to make good decisions for them.
"As a parent and an educator I have made the decision that our 4 to 11-year-old children have the right to be protected from offensive language and to be able to learn about the impact of upsetting insults in the appropriate manner."
A total of 2,700 tickets had gone on sale for the performances on Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16, at The Spa, Bridlington.
East Riding Council said all tickets would be refunded, should the event be cancelled.
However, Mrs Hobbs said: "We intend to go ahead and stage a performance which is acceptable for our school community."
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by icklejen
Sunday, July 10 2011, 8:16PM
“Don't go blaming the Headteacher, she only started at the school this year, opera north selected the writer I do believe. I am going to say it again and will keep saying it, I respect and totally back the actions of the Head.”
by pippa1951
Sunday, July 10 2011, 6:59PM
“Gobsmacked
Why has the H O M O part of ****phobes been deleted ?”
by pippa1951
Sunday, July 10 2011, 6:55PM
“Much ado about nothing
If she was so concerned, why did she not choose something different ?
4 to 11 year olds for chrissakes............they probably wouldn't have understood the content anyway. Bet they will now tho'. After all the hoohaa, these poor kids will most likely mature into ****phobes”
by frankiehoward
Sunday, July 10 2011, 6:37PM
“politically correct dimwit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by pippa1951
Sunday, July 10 2011, 5:19PM
“"The following is part of the gay characters lines:
SEWERBY
So you're going to hit me!
Oh you're really tough
TONY
You taking the mick?
SEWERBY
I invited blokes like you for breakfast
Back in the day
Oh I liked them wild and rough
Full of fire and anger
in the bright Ibiza sun
Back when I was young
The fiercer they'd start out
The more we would all love them
And the sweeter they'd become
The sunshine, sea and grass
what a gas
all those wild guys
the good guys,punks and wiseguys
Of course I'm queer.................................GAY
That's why I left here...............................Hmmmmmm????
So if you infer
That I prefer
A lad to a lass
And him working class
I'd have to concur.”
by icklejen
Sunday, July 10 2011, 3:46PM
“The gay character is still in the opera, that was never the issue. The language and tone of parts of the opera was the main issue. Lee Hall turned it in to a sexuality issue for free publicity!”
by IvorTwitch
Sunday, July 10 2011, 3:42PM
“killercat - Well said.”
by coprolite
Sunday, July 10 2011, 2:47PM
“Must be badly written drivel if you have to "Out" the Gay character in the script.
Still, I bet O.N got all the grants available from the Education Dept? I thought so.”
by icklejen
Sunday, July 10 2011, 1:45PM
“Killercat has put it perfectly!!!”
by icklejen
Sunday, July 10 2011, 11:11AM
“Opera North have been working with the school for two years. Lee Hall was approached this year to write a script 'suitable' for primary aged children and the community of Bridlington. He clearly didn't fullfill the brief. The school asked to see the script but it took him ages to release it. He wanted to time his publicity stunt. What I'm about to say is not the opinion of the school but my own assumption. I do believe that Hall knew all along that the script would be inappropriate and knew it would be questioned. But the minute the word 'queer' was mentioned he then knew he could go ahead with his publicity stunt. The school never had a problem with the inclusion of a gay character but the language used and aggressive behaviour in parts of the script, not just the gay scene. Lee Hall needed to remind people who is was because of some up and coming plays. But in the process he has dragged an innocent school through the media for his own gratification. The school should feel very proud to have such a strong Headteacher.”