Jewish comedians cancelled by Edinburgh Fringe venue due to ‘safety concerns’
Rachel Creeger and Phillip Simon were abruptly told last Friday that their bookings, at a venue they had used for many years, had been removed
Key Jewish performances during the Edinburgh Fringe are in jeopardy, after a theatre abruptly cancelled bookings by Jewish comedians, citing staff “safety concerns”.
Rachel Creeger and Phillip Simon were due to perform at the Whistle Binkies music venue in the heart of the city, which they have used for a number of years during the Scottish capital’s famous comedy festival. However, last Friday they were informed via a phone call that the venue was no longer willing to host them. Creeger and Simon were told that staff at the venue, had complained of feeling “unsafe”, with additional security measures having been instituted due to concerns over threats to Jewish acts.
Jewish News understands that initially the venue told the Jewish comedians that staff had claimed that a “vigil” for IDF soldiers had been held during last year’s performances – a claim retracted by the venue after Creeger and Simon made it clear that this was inaccurate. It is believed that staff also complained about having to clean “free Palestine” graffiti off toilet doors, daubed by anti-Israel protesters.
Creeger, who has won a number of awards for her comedy, said:
“We have always found Whistlebinkies to be such a safe and welcoming environment, so we are, shocked, deeply upset and disappointed by this decision.
“We don’t recognise the complaints being made by the bar staff. No incidents occurred during our shows last year. We did not witness any targeted graffiti.
“We had no idea that there was a problem until we were told last Friday that our shows were no longer welcome. With the Fringe launching next week, this has made it nearly impossible to find new venues for the month, and we depend on performing for our livelihoods.
“Sadly, this is part of an ongoing problem faced by Jewish performers in this country. We are being cancelled and often silently boycotted.”
Ms Creeger’s show, Ultimate Jewish Mother, has previously been nominated for two awards and was last year granted the Keep It Fringe Bursary after her application shared the importance of such shows when it comes to interfaith work and community cohesion.
In an article for Jewish News ten days ago, the comedian, who previously set up a support group for Jewish artists at the Fringe regardless of religious observance or political affiliation, described how “since October 7, virtually every Jewish performer I know has witnessed antisemitism in the industry and in recent months the situation has escalated. I’ve seen threads on social media targeting Jewish performers and warning them that Zionists are not welcome, that they should beware of setting foot in Edinburgh.
“I’ve asked other Jewish performers what’s made them choose to stick their heads above the parapet there this summer, and they’ve almost all responded that they are driven by Jewish pride.”
Philip Simon’s Jew-O-Rama show, which hosts “a rolling line-up of Jewish and ‘Jew-ish’ comedians and performers”, was due to have its ninth year at the Fringe.
He said: “Our show is about fun and comedy, not geopolitics. It is disheartening to find out so late in the day that we have lost our venue.
“I’ve already ordered the fliers and posters, and filled over 80 slots with comedians who will now all lose work. Not only has this cost money and taken a huge amount of time, but more than that, it is hurtful that instead of reassuring the young bar staff who raised concerns, the solution was to remove the Jews from the bill. This is emblematic of the problem facing Jewish artists and performers in the UK today.”
Jewish News understands that Artist’s Services at the Fringe have been supportive and empathetic, but that at such a late stage – the Fringe begins on 1 August – finding an alternative venue will be all but impossible.
In their recently published Commission on Antisemitism, Lord Mann and former Defence Secretary Dame Penny Mordaunt specifically described “substantial evidence of more hidden barriers being put in front of Jewish involvement within the arts.”
Dame Penny said: “We have been clear. It is wrong that venues either choose to cancel Jewish artists due to direct antisemitism or feel they must do so because of others’ antisemitism and the costs of dealing with it. Is that the kind if society we want? Where bullies and vandals determine what performances we can view? No. Venues must take a stand, especially those in receipt of public funds. These are real issues and one of the recommendations in our report focuses on this area.”
Free Fringe CEO Luke Meredith told the Chortle comedy news site: ‘The decision not to host the two shows was taken by the venue alone…The matter was first brought to our attention in late May, after the print deadline for the brochure had passed. I thought at the time that, having explained the police were only taking precautions and no actual threats had been made, and that moving them after they were already advertised in print might be detrimental, that the matter had been resolved. Apparently however it had been understood that we were to move the shows.
“I was made aware of this a week ago and since then we have been working with the shows to try and find them a suitable replacement slot, including approaching other organisations. Nothing has been possible so far but we welcome any offer of help. If anyone has a space in central Edinburgh that would like to host them, we would be happy to run it.”
Whistle Binkies has been contacted for comment.
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