A spy play written by John le Carré has been slapped with a trigger warning over gunshots.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, which was originally published in 1963 and has been named in TIME Magazine’s All-Time Greatest 100 Novels, was handed the warning for a current tour of theatres around the UK until August.
Fans have been warned that the productions contains ‘derogatory language’ and ‘depictions of violence’.
The play’s booking website reads: ‘This production contains strong and derogatory language prevalent in the period, including antisemitism, and depictions of violence including torture and gunshots.’
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold tells the story of tired British intelligence officer Alec Leamas in the 1960s who has spent years out in the field in the shadow of the Berlin Wall.
He is given one final mission to travel into the heart of Communist Germany and betray his country.
Starring Ralf Little, the latest production of le Carré’s classic novel is a ‘riveting journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise’, according to the website.
The Daily Mail has approached Mr le Carré for comment.
Pictured: A promotional poster for John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, starring Ralph Little
Pictured: The trigger warning issued to theatre-goers over the Cold War classic
It comes after a West End theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet was slapped with a trigger warning for ‘revenge’ and ‘grief’.
Running at the Harold Pinter Theatre until June, the online box office warns: ‘[The] show deals with themes of grief and revenge and includes descriptions of violence.’
London’s Globe Theatre came under fire in August 2021 after giving members ‘ridiculous’ trigger warnings over ‘upsetting’ themes in the Shakespeare classic, even providing a number for the Samaritans for after the show.
The Globe – which is on the site of the Bard’s original playhouse – alerts the audience before performances that suicide, drug use and fake blood feature in a production of the tragedy running from June to October.
Theatre staff even provide audience members with a Samaritans helpline number and the details of mental health charity the Listening Place in case they need emotional support after watching the play.
On its website, the Globe warned: ‘This production contains depictions of suicide, moments of violence and references to drug use. It contains gunshot sound effects and the use of stage blood.
‘If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this production of Romeo and Juliet please find details below of organisations offering advice and support.’
At the time, then-Tory MP Pauline Latham told The Sun: ‘This is absolutely ridiculous. How have we come to this after so many years of Shakespeare?’
Former minister Ann Widdecombe said: ‘You don’t go to see Romeo and Juliet if you want a light-hearted evening.’
Actor Christopher Biggins added: ‘Do we have to have signs for everything under the sun? It’s a joke. What they are trying to do is insulting to the mentality of theatre-goers.’
In a statement, the Globe told the paper: ‘Ola Ince’s critically acclaimed production brings the play into today’s world, with an “anti-romantic” Romeo and Juliet.
‘Our production does not shy away from how relevant this story is for our current societal struggles.
‘As we’ve chosen to focus on mental health, and utilise direct techniques that may be affecting to some audience members, we wanted to provide information to those who may need it.’
