British comedian Paul Curry.Photo: Instagram
A London theater is facing legal action after an Israeli man was kicked out of a comedy show by a comedian performing a one-man show on Saturday night, leading some audience members to liken it to an “anti-Semitic rally.” confronting.
A spokesperson for the British Anti-Semitism Campaign (CAA) said the group was in contact with the Israeli man and other audience members who fled the theater.
“What was said by the Jewish audience was appalling and we are working with the Jewish audience and our lawyers to ensure those who instigated and enabled it are held accountable,” a CAA spokesperson said. A spokesperson said on a London program. evening standard news outlet. “These allegations are deeply disturbing and discriminatory abuses against Jews. Comedians deserve wide leeway, but the act of banishing Jews from theaters is reminiscent of humanity’s darkest days. It should have no place in central London in 2024.”
Comedian Paul Curry was performing a one-man show titled “Sturm” at the Soho Theater in London. Towards the end of the performance, he retrieved the Ukrainian and Palestinian flags and called on the members to stand and applaud.
After the applause ended, Curry pointed to a man in the second row of the theater and asked him why he didn’t stand up.
An anonymous Israeli man replied: “I was enjoying your show until you brought out the Palestinian flag.” Furious, Curry began yelling, “Get the hell out of my show right now!” Get out of my fucking show! ” In response to the.
As the man and his partner tried to leave, accompanied by several other shocked audience members, the assembled crowd began chanting “Get out” and “Free Palestine”.
In a written complaint to the theater about his treatment, the man wrote: Was very sympathetic and gave me an email address to file a complaint. By this time the show had ended and the audience was starting to leave, many of them glaring at us in an aggressive and very threatening manner. We all left the scene. ”
He added: “Afterwards, our friends received a message from an acquaintance who had attended the show, saying that after we left, things got even worse. It was supposed to be a night of comedy. Things have turned into what feels like an anti-Semitic rally.”
The theater ultimately issued an apology, saying, “We apologize for the incident that occurred at our venue at the end of the performance of ‘Paul Curry: Sturm’ on Saturday, February 10th, which caused upset and injury to the audience and others in attendance.” He issued a statement expressing his regret. He added: “We take this matter very seriously and are investigating what happened as thoroughly, as quickly and as carefully as possible.” It is important to us that Soho Theater is a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone. ”
Curry has remained largely silent since the incident, with the exception of an Instagram post quoting Mexican poet Cesar A. Cruz: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” I’ve kept it. Furthermore, he added: “If you were at my show last night…you’d understand.”