Comedy occasion that includes Graham Linehan cancelled after complaints
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stand-up comedy present that includes Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been cancelled after complaints had been made to the venue.
An Edinburgh venue has axed the Comedy Unleashed occasion that includes Linehan, a vocal critic of elements of the trans rights motion, which was as a result of happen on Thursday.
Leith Arches posted the “cancellation announcement” on Instagram on Tuesday, saying: “We would like to thank members of the public and our community for bringing to our attention a comedy act billed to perform at our venue this Thursday.
“We were not made aware of the line-up of this show in advance.
“We have made the decision to cancel this show, as we are an inclusive venue and this does not align with our overall values.”
Advertising for the Comedy Unleashed occasion had mentioned a “famous ‘cancelled’ comedian” could be amongst these performing.
They billed it as an “Edinburgh Fringe Event”, although it doesn’t seem on the official line-up.
Reacting to the news, Linehan tweeted: “Holy s**t the venue has cancelled the WHOLE GIG because I’m on the bill.”
In a subsequent reply to a supporter, he added: “We’ll find a venue and we’ll sue the Leith Arches if we don’t.
“In all conscience, I cannot withhold from the world my fifteen minutes of under-rehearsed stand-up comedy about pizzas.”
He informed one other fan the occasion had been “sold out” and likewise retweeted a put up from TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer, who condemned the cancellation as “pathetic behaviour”.
She mentioned: “Shame on them for censoring the free speech of comedians like @Glinner (Linehan) whose only crime is to believe in biological reality and stand up for women’s rights.”
Linehan was banned from Twitter in 2020 for breaking its guidelines round hateful conduct with feedback about trans individuals, however his account was reinstated after Elon Musk took over.
In an announcement posted on Twitter, Comedy Unleashed wrote: “The venue (Leith Arches) has cancelled our gig this Thursday following pressure from censorious activists
“Is there an #Edfringe venue that believes in free artistic expression that will host us?”
It comes after comic Jerry Sadowitz final yr hit again on the Edinburgh Fringe venue which cancelled his present, claiming it “cheapened and simplified” his work.
The Pleasance axed the second of his two nights after saying it had obtained an “unprecedented” variety of complaints and “abuse” was directed at a few of its employees.
The present, titled Not for Anyone, was billed as that includes “whacky impressions of Greta Thunberg, Frankie Boyle and deep vein thrombosis” and noticed the comic expose himself to the viewers.
The venue mentioned his present was “extreme in its racism, sexism, homophobia and misogyny” and the language used on its stage was “completely unacceptable”.
The PA news company has approached Linehan and Leith Arches for remark.