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Hungary Cancels Performances Of Popular Musical Over Fears It Will Turn Young Boys Gay

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Evie Fordham Politics and Health Care Reporter
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Hungary’s State Opera House slashed 15 out of 44 upcoming performances of the musical “Billy Elliot” on Thursday because of low interest after a Hungarian news website published an opinion piece saying the musical could “turn children gay.”

Magyar Idok, a news site with ties to Hungary’s conservative party, ran an op-ed saying the musical is “liberal propaganda” that fosters a “deviant way of life” on June 1, reported The Guardian and CNN.

Szilveszter Okovacs, director of the opera house, responded in Magyar Idok on June 2. The Hungarian State Opera House’s version of the musical excised its only gay character, he argued, according to The Guardian(RELATED: Hungary Passes ‘STOP Soros’ Law That Punishes Aid To Illegal Immigrants)

The title character in “Billy Elliot” is an English boy who finds ballet as an escape route from poverty. Elton John wrote the score for the musical, which won multiple Tony Awards during its run on Broadway in 2009.

The Hungarian State Opera House has offered performances of “Billy Elliot” 90 times since 2016, but after Magyar Idok published the article, ticket prices fell by half, reported The Guardian.

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