Theatre audience members handed Samaritans phone number for musical

London’s Old Vic hand audience members at Groundhog Day comedy musical the Samaritans phone number in case they’re upset by the show’s depiction of suicide

• Punters given trigger warnings over the play’s ‘explicit depiction of suicide’

The audience watching the Groundhog Day musical at London’s Old Vic theatre were given the Samaritans’ phone number in case they were upset by the show’s depiction of suicide.

The comedic show –  written by Matilda lyricist Tim Minchin – is based on the 1993 hit starring Bill Murray as a frustrated TV weatherman trapped in a looping day.

But bosses fear the audience – who shell out as much as £144 for a ticket to the Olivier Award-winning show – could leave upset.

They are now providing punters with trigger warnings about ‘explicit depiction of suicide’ alongside links to mental health charity Mind and suicide helpline Samaritans, the Sun reported.

With a run time of 2 hours and 35 minutes, the play shows Phil Connors – the protagonist – repeatedly trying to end his life to escape the ever-repeating cycle.

The comedic show – written by Matilda lyricist Tim Minchin – is based on the 1993 hit starring Bill Murray as a frustrated TV weatherman trapped in a looping day

But bosses fear the audience – who shell out as much as £144 for a ticket to the Olivier Award-winning show – could leave upset

The Old Vic (pictured) are now providing punters with trigger warnings about ‘explicit depiction of suicide’ alongside links to mental health charity Mind and suicide helpline Samaritans

On the show’s website, they recommend the show for over-12s and warn new-comers: ‘The story ends happily but passes through some emotionally darker phases. 

READ MORE: Theatre puts coercive control trigger warning on musical romance My Fair Lady inspiration play over plot where professor gives Cockney flower seller diction lessons

‘One musical sequence in Act 2 satirically portrays the central character committing suicide four times. If you have been affected by the themes in this production, you can access support via the Samaritans and Mind UK.’

Separately, they add: ‘We understand that sensitives vary from person to person and we’d encourage you to read the show’s synopsis or contact our team who will be able to advise on anything that might impact your experience.’

Described as a ‘comic parable’ by the theatre, the first song written by Minchin for the hit musical – ironically titled ‘Hope’ – descibes how the protagonist refuses to give up as he keeps trying to die by suicide.

‘There was a bit of discussion about how dark this musical could go and I thought, well I need to test that boundry,’ he told Playbill. 

It comes just weeks after the Old Vic put a coercive control trigger warning on the play that inspired musical romance My Fair Lady over the plot in which a professor gave a Cockney flower seller diction lessons.

George Bernard Shaw’s hit play Pygmalion sees Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle turned into a society lady by Professor Henry Higgins.

With a run time of 2 hours and 35 minutes, the play shows Phil Connors – the protagonist – repeatedly trying to end his life to escape the ever-repeating cycle 

 Described as a ‘comic parable’ by the theatre, the first song written by Minchin for the hit musical – ironically titled ‘Hope’ – descibes how the protagonist refuses to give up as he keeps trying to die by suicide

Yet theatre-goers shelving out £75 for a chance to see the play at the Old Vic in London will be warned of ‘portrayals of abuse, abusive language and coercive control’.

Ann Widdecombe said the trigger warning was ‘so daft it beggars belief’.

The play – a satire based on an Ancient Greek story – focuses on the English class system as Prof Higgins takes on a bet to say he can change a working-class flower seller into a would-be duchess in just six months.

It was written in 1912 and features Olivier award-winning actors Bertie Carvel and Patsy Ferran.

Groundhog day – which started its latest run this month and will continue until August – sees Andy Karl return to his starring roll as Connors.

It won the Best New Musical Olivier Award in in 2017 alongside Best Actor for Karl.

The 1993 film starred Andie MacDowell as Rita and Chris Elliott, grossing $71 million a the box office.

The Old Vic have been contacted for comment. 

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