Parents outraged by lesbian kissing scene in Sydney High School performance of Romeo and Juliet

An all-female production of Romeo and Juliet left some parents outraged after the two leads shared a “passionate” kiss in front of schoolchildren.

The Dire Theater Company’s performance at Campbelltown Performing Arts High last week featured a woman playing Romeo in an “all-female, modern interpretation” of “SHEkespeare.”

MP Mark Latham, who raised the issue in the NSW Parliament, claims pupils in Years 8 to 10 were shocked by the play, which was advertised as having an all-female cast.

“There’s a passionate kissing scene taking place on stage,” Mr Latham said. “Some of the boys were screaming, some were in despair, some of the girls were upset.

“Parents are very upset with the news that has been circulated where no mention has been made of it. The children came home and said that two women kissed.

An all-female production of Romeo and Juliet left parents outraged after the two leads shared a “passionate” kiss in front of shocked students

The Dire Theater Company’s performance at Campbelltown Performing Arts High last week featured a woman playing Romeo in an “all-female, modern interpretation” of “SHEkespeare.”

Mr Latham then claimed there were religious families of different faiths who did not believe in same-sex relationships and said the school never asked permission to show the performance.

“It’s inappropriate, this shouldn’t be happening in front of 13 and 14 year olds unless you have parental permission. Some of these kids haven’t even hit puberty,” he said.

“There are Christian, Hindu, Muslim and socially conservative parents in the Campbelltown community who have a different view and have not been given an opportunity to opt out.”

Education Secretary Sarah Mitchell dismissed his claims, saying parents gave children full permission to participate and the message was “in line with the Department of Education’s policy on controversial issues in schools”.

“The exchange of affection between the actors throughout the play was deemed appropriate for the script,” said Ms. Mitchell.

The education secretary says no parents have complained to the school.

Education Secretary Sarah Mitchell dismissed his claims, saying parents gave the children full permission to take part in the all-female play

The Dire Theater Company visits schools across the state and hosts a Shakespeare in Schools workshop to modernize the stories.

The company’s artistic director, Adam O’Brien, told the Telegraph that they had never received any complaints about the play’s interpretation.

“In the past, only men were allowed to perform – Julia would have been performed by a man 400 years ago,” he said.

“I think it would be quite understandable that Romeo and Juliet would have scenes of affection on stage.

“It would be naïve to expect that the greatest love story in the world would leave out all love.”

Campbelltown Performing Arts High has been contacted for comment.

A spokesman for NSW Education told Daily Mail Australia that there were no connections to gender, sexuality or gender fluidity in the play and the cast’s interactions were all consistent with the known story of the play.

“A performance of Romeo and Juliet by an outside theater company was staged at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School as part of routine curriculum content exploring Shakespeare for students in grades 8, 9 and 10,” the spokesperson said.

“Participation was optional and in accordance with the Department of Education’s policy on controversial issues in schools, parents who did not want their child to participate could opt-out. Teachers were present at the performance to supervise.’