Theatre company boss pulls plug on Jewish News interview over ‘political issues’

The head of a theatre company has withdrawn permission for Jewish News to publish an interview promoting her new Jewish-interest show, saying “current political issues between us” made her uncomfortable with it appearing in this newspaper.

In an email sent following the interview last Friday, Rosanna Mallinson, director of Akimbo Theatre Ltd, informed Jewish News’ theatre critic Caroline Friedman that she was denying permission for this newspaper to publish the interview Caroline had conducted with her to publicise The Animator at Southwark Playhouse.

Despite Friedman informing the venue, as per standard practice, where the piece would appear, Mallinson claimed she had not realised it would be in Jewish News until the interview had come to an end.

It is unprecedented for Jewish News to publish correspondence between its journalists and interviewees. On this occasion we have determined that the circumstances are clearly in the public interest.

Mallinson’s email, sent to Friedman on Saturday, reads: “Unfortunately, on further reflection, we think that there are current political issues that do not align between us and the paper. I understand that not all the readers or all of the community are in line with all the views and opinions of all the articles published, and that there is a lot going on at the moment. However, the team does not feel comfortable having a feature about us published alongside some of these articles, so we would like to ask that you don’t publish my interview with you.”

She added: “Let us know if any other publications want to run the story.”

Mallinson did not specify which Jewish News articles she found objectionable.

Responding to a request for comment, Mallinson later told Jewish News: “I was unaware when I gave this interview where this article was to be published. Caroline did not make this clear until the end of the interview. On reflection, I made a request for it not to be published and I gave my reasons for it. I have not boycotted or stopped you publishing an article about the show. I requested the interview not be included as the interview felt too personal as I was asked questions about my family.”

Friedman accused Akimbo of “sending out the message that it would rather face the possibility of empty seats than have Jews in the audience”. She added: “Jewish News has been singled out. Sadly, this is just another indication of an ever-increasing hostility against Jewish people and organisations.”

She noted Akimbo appeared happy for her to cover the show elsewhere, but “so long as it isn’t the Jewish News“.

The interview was intended to promote The Animator, a stage production celebrating the life of pioneering animator Lotte Reiniger and the support she received in 1920s Berlin from the Hagens, a prominent German Jewish family.

In a promotional video for the play, Mallinson notes that “anything associated with queer or Jewish art back then was eradicated”.

Southwark Playhouse made clear it was grateful for Jewish News‘ ongoing coverage of its productions and that it played no part in the decision of the Akimbo Theatre Company.