A Soho theater has banned a comedian after a Jewish audience member was “abused” after a performance last weekend.
A comedy venue in central London has investigated allegations that Paul Curry verbally abused an audience member.
The incident allegedly occurred Saturday night after Curry’s hour-long Sturm show ended in front of an audience of 200 people.
A Jewish attendee told the BBC that the comedian held up a Palestinian flag and shouted at a man who objected: “Get out!”
The venue said Jewish attendees were “subjected to verbal abuse.”
In a statement, the theater said Curry “actively asked” Jewish audience members to leave the theater. “Horrifying acts like this cannot be tolerated and should have no place on our stages now or ever,” the statement said. “We will not be inviting Paul Curry to perform at our venue again.”
Curry has been contacted for comment.
According to witnesses who gave testimony to the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAA), Curry placed Ukrainian and Palestinian flags on stage and asked the audience to stand and applaud during the second half of the show.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday it was aware of the incident and an investigation was ongoing.
Curry’s show was described on the theater’s website as a “unique, surrealist, dada-punk clown, non-verbal experience.” He never speaks throughout his hour-long show, relying on mime, music, and audience participation.
Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said the theater worked “aggressively and swiftly” with the group and that it was “clear that the venue was caught off guard” as the show was “supposed to be non-verbal”. did.
The spokesperson added: “We will arrange for senior representatives of the theater to meet with Jewish members of the audience to discuss what happened.” We continue to evaluate our legal options regarding Mr. Curry and are discussing this matter with our audience. ”