A gig in Co Down due to feature comedian Paul Currie has been cancelled following the Newtownabbey performer’s show in London that prompted claims Jewish audience members were “hounded” out of the venue.
Mr Currie was due to headline a comedy night at the Thornburys venue in Lisburn on Friday February 23, however the show has been scrapped following the row over allegations the 52-year-old comic targeted an audience member with taunts at a Soho Theatre show last Saturday.
It is alleged Mr Currie told the audience member, a Jewish man, to “get the f*** out of my show” after he remained in his seat as the comedian encouraged the crowd to stand and applaud both a Palestinian and Ukrainian flag at the end of his gig.
It has been claimed by the Campaign Against Antisemitism group that the man and his partner left the venue, along with a group of four Jewish people who were also in the audience.
The campaign group has alleged the people were “reportedly hounded out” of the theatre.
A Soho Theatre spokesperson said in a statement that members of the audience were “subjected to verbal abuse”, adding: “Such appalling actions are unacceptable and have no place on our stages, now or ever.
“We will not be inviting Paul Currie back to perform at our venue.”
The Met Police has said “enquiries are ongoing” after it received a report on the incident.
Mr Currie had been due to perform at Thornburys cafe in Lisburn’s Chapel Hill area next Friday, which hosts ‘After Dark’ events including stand-up comedy and music gigs.
He was to headline the event, that had been due to feature two other comedians.
The venue described Mr Currie as a “professional comedian, producer, circus artist, puppeteer and fine artist to name just a few of his varied disciplines, adding: “Paul will have you in stitches with his hilarious jokes and stories.”
A spokesperson for the venue told The Irish News: “Unfortunately due to a lot of backlash we have received - even though we are in no way affiliated with what happened at the event in London - we have decided the best decision for both ourselves and Paul was to cancel the event on the 23rd.”
