Shrek the Musical under fire for use of transphobic slur
The version of Shrek the Musical currently playing in Canada has been forced to change its script following a backlash over a transphobic slur.
The original script included the word “tranny” several times throughout, as well as in the original cast recording.
But, having started in Canada, the musical received its first complaints over the use of the word.
One man has said he walked out of the show, according to CBC News, saying he was offended by a scene which featured the Big Bad Wolf wearing a dress and being called a “tranny”.
Ky Greyson, a trans man, said: “It was really a good production, but I remember hearing the word used and the entire crowd bursting laughing and just my heart dropping,” Greyson said to CBC News after viewing the show.
“[There were] very dehumanising jokes with regards to not conforming to gender roles and being a masculine person femininely.’”
Going on, Greyson says the fact that Shrek is aimed at families makes the use of the word even more disturbing.
“If we’re teaching kids in the audience that if this is to be mocked, this is to be ridiculed, we’re perpetuating self-hate in people who may be trans women or trans feminine people at a young age and also continuing this myth and misunderstanding of what trans people are,” he continued.
A statement has been released by Jennie King, a spokesperson for the Neptune Theatre, where the show is currently playing.
She said: “We were upset to learn that one of our productions created a feeling of distress among members of the LGBTQ community in Halifax and changes were made immediately to remove content once we became aware of the situation.”
“Neptune has spoken and met with these members of the LGBTQ community to express our apologies and to learn from this experience.”
