UK
Theatre cancels Reginald D Hunter show after Jewish couple hounded out of Fringe show
The American comedian attracted criticism for an incident involving Jewish audience members earlier this week
August 16, 2024 14:33
The American comedian attracted criticism for an incident involving Jewish audience members earlier this week
August 16, 2024 14:33A comedy venue has cancelled the Edinburgh Fringe show of a comedian after a Jewish couple were ‘hounded’ out of one of his performances.
Eastwood Theatre said that while they defend freedom of expression they also have a commitment to supporting “diversity and inclusion”.
Last week, Reginald D Hunter attracted criticism after he compared the Jewish state to an abusive wife, saying: “My God, it’s like being married to Israel.”
When an Israeli man in the front row shouted, “not funny” in response, he responded: “You can say it’s not funny to you, but if you say it to a room full of people who laughed, you look foolish.”
When the audience member and his wife then revealed they were from Israel, others in the crowd began shouting “f*** off”, “genocidal maniac”, “you’re not welcome” and “free Palestine”.
A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, which runs the Eastwood Theatre, said: "We defend the freedom of expression of artists and understand that our audiences expect to extend some latitude to many acts, including alternative comedy which may be controversial in places.
"However, we have a commitment to our community, and to our values of diversity and inclusion, which we take seriously."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was "reviewing the circumstances" of the incident.
In a statement published to social media on Thursday, before the cancellation was announced, Hunter said: “There was an unfortunate incident in my new show ‘Fluffy Fluffy Beavers’.
"As a comedian, I do push boundaries in creating humour, it's part of my job. This inevitably creates divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bully.
"I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members.”
Hunter is also said to have made a joke about accessing the Jewish Chronicle’s website, saying: “Typical f***ing Jews, they won’t tell you anything unless you subscribe,” he said.
The JC does not have a paywall.
The Israeli audience member, who did not wish to be named, said those at the standup set had behaved like a “baying mob”.
“The audience was really abusive and [Hunter] told us to get out and the people working at theatre told us to leave.
"The people working there, mostly young students, were trying to help and got us to leave, I don’t think they knew what to do.
“There was no one in the audience who stood up and said ‘This is ridiculous.’ There is a difference between a bit of heckle. If I say ‘That is not funny,’ a decent comedian would use a put-down line. They are used to being heckled. I did not want to wind up the whole audience.”
James Cheyne, a BBC journalist who attended Hunter’s show, told the broadcaster: "[He] used the N word, the C word, and made cracks about Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile too.
"It was in many ways common fare for a late night comedy gig at the Edinburgh Fringe, but the controversy his comments have caused was ever present in the room too.
"The comedian addressed it multiple times, opening with the words 'I wondered if anybody was coming' and adding 'It’s been quite a week.'
"He said some people would come to his shows seeking to be offended and told them not to worry, promising “there is something for everybody.”
"The venue was mostly full, the crowd was supportive, laughing, clapping and cheering. One audience member shouted out “I’m Jewish and I love the joke” when he told it.”
Hunter has been contacted for comment.