The Family Sex Show: Petition to scrap play about sex aimed at ‘ages 5+’ lined up for Bristol theatre

A petition to scrap a controversial play about sex aimed at children and their families has garnered more than 28,000 signatures a few weeks before the show is set to open at a Bristol theatre.

The Family Sex Show, by Cambridge-based theatre company ThisEgg, strives to open up important conversations around sex, consent and gender for audiences ‘aged 5+’ and is billed to run at the Factory Theatre from May 5 -8.

The show features singing, dancing and stories written by and based on the team of performers’ personal experiences.

But the piece has already attracted fierce criticism from social media users who say they are ‘appalled’ at the show’s contents which also include adult nudity and discussions about sexual pleasure.

Now a petition at citizengo.org has demanded the show be removed before it lands in Bristol as well as Theatre Royal Bath and The Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

At the time of writing, the petition has gathered just over 28,760 signatures.

It reads: “This show bills itself as an ‘alternative to porn’, features performers stripping completely naked and yet markets itself to families and children as young as five.

“This is wholly inappropriate and is a blatant attempt to sexualise children and break down their natural boundaries.”

BristolWorld approached ThisEgg for a response to the controversy, which has become widespread after TV personality Sonia Poulton and politician David Kurten both posted videos slamming the show as inappropriate on Twitter.

A spokesperson told us that the show had been created with input and guidance from educational and safeguarding specialists.

They added: “It is with an enormous sense of responsibility, compassion and caution towards young people and their parents that we consider this an important piece of theatre.”

The company also has a detailed FAQ page on its website for anyone harbouring concerns about the show to read.

BristolWorld has contacted Tobacco Factory Theatres for comment and is awaiting their response.