Silencing comics will lead to a dark destination

WE ARE living in a culture where a minority of angry people are deciding what we can see, read and watch. Of course the cancellation of a comedy show in Edinburgh is a world away from the brutal stabbing of Salman Rushdie. But they are linked by the thread of free speech.

- Andy Shaw

We see cultural leaders indulging a minority of people who claim that they are “offended” by words with which they disagree.

They accept and nourish the idea that words are a form of personal attack on identity or religious belief. We see the cowardice of the arts industry and their failure to resolutely defend free speech, emboldening those who want to silence others.

Last weekend Jerry Sadowitz – the Scottish comic who has built his entire career on making offensive jokes – had his show cancelled at The Pleasance, the biggest venue at the biggest comedy festival in the world, The Edinburgh Fringe.

It was claimed that both staff and audience had been made to feel “unsafe” by the content.

But people who book a show called “Not For Anyone” know what they’re in for.

The decision to cancel Sadowitz was an act of cowardice.

Anthony Alderson, director at the Pleasance, justified his decision by saying “the material presented does not align with our values”.

Surely, the values of a comedy venue are simply to book good acts and provide a space where they can perform. If every comedian must consider the values of all staff members who check the ticket stubs, then they are the ones who decide who is allowed to perform.