The Royal Court Theatre in London, which infamously named a fictional grasping billionaire “Hershel Fink”, has been reported to the Charity Commission after it allowed staff to continue wearing “Free Palestine” badges.
Staff at the theatre have been seen wearing the badges while selling tickets and programmes, in what UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has alleged was in breach of the theatre’s charitable objectives and the 2010 Equality Act.
On more than one occasion, Jewish theatregoers have expressed shock, anger and upset after interacting with staff who wear the badge, according to UKLFI, which reported its concerns to the Royal Court Theatre.
The Royal Court has a history of causing outrage in the Jewish community. In 2022, it apologised “unreservedly” to Britain’s Jews for naming a fictional grasping billionaire “Hershel Fink”. The theatre swiftly released a statement apologising for “unconscious bias” and changed the character’s name to Henry Finn.
In 1987 the play Perdition, directed by Ken Loach, was abandoned after protests at its depiction of collaboration between Hungarian Jews and Nazis.
In 2009, the theatre was accused of perpetuating ‘blood libel’ with Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza, by the regular Royal Court collaborator Caryl Churchill.
On receiving the complaint from UKLFI, the theatre in Sloane Square, south-west London, refused to clarify whether the badges would continue to be worn by staff members.
Responding to UKLFI, Will Young, the executive director of the theatre, said: “While we reserve our position in respect of the legal analysis set forth in your note, we will bear these considerations well in mind as we debrief our teams and continue our work to ensure that our policies and practices are as effective as they can be.
“We are always committed to ensuring that the Royal Court is a place where outstanding new theatre can be enjoyed by all, and appreciate your getting in touch to share these experiences.”
The theatre was reportedly the recipient of £2.35 million of government grants in 2023. Its charitable objectives are “to promote, maintain, improve and advance education or encouragement of the arts in the theatre”. But the “Free Palestine” badges, by being politically divisive, may pose a breach to those objectives, argued UKLFI.
Furthermore, because the badges may contribute towards an “intimidating, hostile and offensive” environment for Jews, Israelis or Zionists, the theatre could be in breach of the Equality Act 2010, the legal group alleged. Caroline Turner, director of UKLF, said: “We thought that the role of the theatre staff was to serve and assist the theatregoers, not to foist their political views on to everyone.”
The JC contacted the theatre for comment.
