Soho Theatre has apologised and launched an investigation after some audience members complained a stand-up show ended up more “like an antisemitic rally”.
One person who was at the theatre on Saturday to watch comedian Paul Currie said they started to “feel uneasy” when he allegedly pulled out a Ukrainian flag and a Palestinian flag and urged the audience to stand up before challenging one man who stayed seated.
They claimed: “The young man, who soon after we discovered was Israeli, replied I enjoyed your show until you brought out your Palestinian flag.
“Paul Currie retorted ‘get out of my show!’ which instantaneously escalated into screaming at this young man, repeatedly shouting ‘Leave my f***ing show now’.”
The comedy fan said they and others left after “feeling unsafe” while other people in the crowd chanted “free Palestine” and “get out”.
They added: “Our friends later received a message from someone they knew who had also been at the show, saying that after we left the situation became even more inflamed.
“What had been intended to be an evening of comedy turned out to be what felt like an antisemitic rally.”
A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was “reviewing legal options” and said it was working with the audience members who walked out.
He added: “What the Jewish audience-members have recounted is atrocious, and we are working with them and our lawyers to ensure that those who instigated and enabled it are held to account.
“These allegations are of deeply disturbing discriminatory abuse against Jews. Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but hounding Jews out of theatres is reminiscent of humanity’s darkest days, and must have no place in central London in 2024.”
The Belfast-based comedian’s 60-minute show is described on the theatre’s website as “a unique, surrealist, dada punk-clown, non-verbal experience”.
A Soho Theatre spokesman said: “We are sorry and saddened by an incident that took place at our venue at the end of a performance of Paul Currie: Shtoom on Saturday 10 February which has caused upset and hurt to members of audience attending and others.
“We take this very seriously and are looking into the detail of what happened as thoroughly, as sensitively, and as quickly as we can. It is important to us that Soho Theatre is a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
Currie has been contacted for comment.
