A pupil cast and crew of about 90 is staging the popular 1971 musical, Grease, about a high school romance set in 1950s America, next week.
Three months ago, when the box office hit film version starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John was screened on BBC One in Britain, Twitter users called it sexist, misogynistic and homophobic.
They also called it out for slut-shaming and a lack of diversity.
Specially singled out were lyrics from Summer Nights: "Tell me more, tell me more, did she put up a fight?", the radio announcer at a dance-off telling dancers there were no same-sex couples, and a character who lies on the floor to look up two female students’ skirts.
Newton-John called the criticism "kind of silly".
"I mean, this movie was made in the 1970s about the 1950s."
Wakatipu High School drama teacher Jake Hansen, who is directing Grease, said he, principal Steve Hall and musical director Alison Price discussed the concerns "early on".
"As a result, we have used this as an opportunity to educate our students on these themes and how they are outdated, while preparing the show as historically accurate as possible to provide the distance for our actors.
"Some points of the show have been tweaked if actors felt uncomfortable or unable to disconnect with the content.
"We have also organised trigger warnings and support during the show’s season.
"Student wellbeing was always a top priority throughout this show," Mr Hansen said.
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Comments
A good girl goes downmarket to be accepted by a bunch of drongos.
Is this legal due to copyright? It's certainly pathetic.
What about those great songs like The Knacks, My Sharon?
Maybe, just maybe, they should have chosen another show. Henrietta and Thomas Bowdler lived a long time ago ... just saying.
So did Shylock.......sorry mate, you're cancelled
Who's Shylock?
This is a college stage production. People are using its update to have a go at social changes, showing the intransigence of your ideology.