STAGE

Four members of the radical Finnish theater troupe Theater of God went on trial on Monday for stripping naked on stage, throwing excrement and whipping the audience. The accused were not present in court, but a defense lawyer said his clients were appealing for fines rather than a jail sentence. He asked the judge to take into account the time the defendants had already spent in detention after their arrest and the effects of the negative publicity. The court adjourned and a verdict is expected in the case after Nov. 30, officials said. The trial is taking place in the northern Finnish town of Oulu. The “performance” took place at an arts festival there in January.