The Soho Theatre is investigating a complaint regarding comedian Paul Currie, who is accused of mistreating a Jewish audience member who declined to applaud a Palestinian flag.
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The renowned comedy venue in central London issued an apology for what it described as “an incident … which has caused upset and hurt to members of the audience attending and others.”
According to The Guardian, the incident occurred on Saturday toward the end of a one-hour performance by Currie, known as "Shtoom," in front of an audience of 200 people.
A witness told the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) that Currie displayed a Ukrainian and a Palestinian flag onstage and encouraged the audience to stand and applaud.
The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted that Currie addressed a young man in the second row who had not stood, asking why he didn't participate. The young man revealed that he is Israeli, and allegedly responded: "I enjoyed your show until you brought out the Palestinian flag."
Currie then reportedly directed explicit language toward the man, demanding that he leave the show. The witness said that other audience members joined in, shouting "Get out" and "Free Palestine" until the Israeli man left.
Feeling unwelcome, the witness and their friends also chose to leave the theater, saying that they felt threatened once their Jewish identities became known.
The Soho Theater said in a statement on its website: “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 the audience and others."
“We take this very seriously and are looking into the details 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.”