Scots comic Jerry Sadowitz has been cancelled by the Edinburgh Fringe after a raft of complaints about his show. Shocked audience members and venue staff hit out at the controversial comedian, who called his show 'Jerry Sadowitz: Not for Anyone' and warned it contained "strong language and themes some may find distressing".
The 60-year-old had two shows booked at the Pleasance, but was told he had been cancelled amid claims he used racist language and flashed on stage.
Sadowitz tweeted: "Did a show last night, 75 mins, thought it went well. Didn't see any walkouts. Today I'm told my show's been cancelled. Great stuff. I'm truly sorry for everyone who travelled to see the show tonight."
One viewer told the Scottish Sun : "I was at the show. He called Rishi Sunak a ‘p***’; said the economy was awful because it is run by ‘blacks and women’. “He got his penis out to a woman in the front row."
The Pleasance Theatre Trust said it cancelled Sadowitz's second and final show "with immediate effect".
Anthony Alderson, Director of the Pleasance, said: "The Pleasance is a venue that champions freedom of speech and we do not censor comedians' material. While we acknowledge that Jerry Sadowitz has often been controversial, the material presented at his first show is not acceptable and does not align with our values. This type of material has no place on the festival and the Pleasance will not be presenting his second and final show."
The move didn't go down well amongst other comedians, with performer Leo Kearse saying: "If the Islamic fundamentalists don't get you, the wokeists will."
He said US-born Sadowitz, who moved to Glasgow with his Scottish/Jewish mother at the age of seven, was the "only comedian worth seeing" at this year's festival.
The Pleasance said anyone who had booked a ticket for Saturday's gig would receive a refund and that they "won't be working" with the entertainer again.
Sadowitz went on to Twitter to promote his run of 14 gigs at venues south of the Border later in the year.
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