Latest news with #PhilipSimon
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘I've had death threats': Why Edinburgh Fringe isn't safe for Jews
Edinburgh's Niddry Street comes alive during the city's annual Fringe festival. Like so many roads in the heart of the Scottish capital, punters pack into bars and clubs on the narrow thoroughfare just off the Royal Mile to see everything from stand-up comedy and musical theatre to university student productions and improvisation. Comedian Philip Simon has performed there for the past few years; so much so that, on his posters for this year's festival, he described his shows as 'staples of Niddry Street'. Events of the past week, however, mean that Simon's promotional material is now out of date – and he has no desire to go anywhere near the venues at which he has previously had such a good time. First, Simon and his fellow Jewish comic, Rachel Creeger, had their shows cancelled by the Whistle Binkies bar less than two weeks before the festival started. It was claimed that venue staff raised 'safety concerns' as a result of the extra security put on amid the escalation of the war in the Middle East and the knock-on effect for British Jews. His run of gigs, Jew-O-Rama, is a showcase of different comics, while hers, Ultimate Jewish Mother, is an interactive stand-up show that has also played at the venue for years. Neither show is political, or about the Israel-Hamas war. But they are the only shows with 'Jew' in the title, and the only ones cancelled by Whistle Binkies this year. Then Simon had a second run of gigs, Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way?, axed by the neighbouring Banshee Labyrinth after its bosses trawled his social media profiles. It was decided that his attendance at a vigil for victims of the Hamas attacks of October 2023, and public calls for a return of the hostages taken into Gaza, were beyond the pale. He was told that 'it is inappropriate for us to provide a platform for performers whose views and actions align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations'.
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Edinburgh Fringe venue responds after cancelling pro-Israel comedian
Banshee Labyrinth, on the capital's Niddry Street, responded to allegations made by the pro-Israel comic Philip Simon after the cancellation of a run of his shows this August. Simon said in a statement on social media that his solo show – Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way – had been dropped by the venue, who cited 'views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine [which] are in significant conflict with our venue's stance against the current Israeli government's policy and actions'. READ MORE: Donald Trump casts doubt on Israeli claims of 'no starvation in Gaza' The comic said he had 'never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a path for peace', and claimed he had been 'cancelled just for being Jewish'. Simon's announcement won support from other comedians, including Scottish circuit regular Mark Nelson, who called it a 'shocking decision', and KC Adam Wagner, who said the situation 'sounds potentially unlawful'. Responding, Banshee Labyrinth told industry magazine Chortle that they 'obviously have not declined [Simon's] show because of his religious or cultural identity', adding: 'Philip has performed with us before.' The venue said that routine checks for support of 'rhetoric or symbology associated with discriminatory groups' had raised concerns, both around Simon's social media output and comments he has made on podcasts. Social media posts on Simon's profile on Twitter/X were cited as reasons for the cancellation. Hey there UK performers' union @EquityUK, how is this even close to your remit? Why aren't you using our subs to campaign for domestic issues that actually directly affect your members. Take an international stand when it affects actors if you want but this campaign isn't that! — Philip Simon - Stand Up Comedian (@PhilipsComedy) January 15, 2025 Chortle reported that these posts included one positive response to an AI-generated image of a lion waving an Israeli flag urging 'pro-Israel' accounts to engage, and another post describing the release of 1800 Palestinians as part of a ceasefire deal as a 'sickening ratio'. Other posts which remain live on Simon's social media show him questioning why the trade union Equity UK – which he quit in November 2024 claiming it had put an 'antisemitic international position ahead of their domestic membership' – would support a march to 'end the genocide' and 'stop arming Israel'. The Banshee Labyrinth is part of PBH's Free Fringe, which sees acts perform for tips rather than sell tickets. Chortle reported that, informing the organisers of the cancellation, the venue had said: 'Due to the recent controversy, our management had a duty of care to our customers and staff members to review the political statements and opinions expressed by the performer. READ MORE: Israel 'using Hamas as pretext to commit genocide', leading Israel rights group says 'We found that the views concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine expressed by the performer are in significant conflict with our venue's stance against the current Israeli government's policy and actions. 'We feel it is inappropriate for us to provide a platform for performers whose views and actions align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations.' The reference to 'recent controversy' was to the cancellation of another run of Simon's Fringe shows, at Whistlebinkies, also on Niddry Street. Another Jewish comedian, Rachel Creeger, also had her show at Whistlebinkies cancelled after staff raised concerns of feeling 'unsafe', Jewish News first reported. PBH Free Fringe chief executive Luke Meredith said: 'The decision not to host the two shows was taken by the venue alone. So far as we understand, this was a staff decision based on last year's experience when they experienced a significant rise in both 'Free Palestine' and Zionist graffiti, together with police notices that they said made them feel unsafe.' File photo of Jewish comedian Rachel CreegerSimon had been due to host 'Jew-O-Rama' at the venue – a variety show of Jewish performers which was set for its ninth year. Creeger was to perform a show called 'Ultimate Jewish Mother'. After the cancellation, Simon said: 'Our show is about fun and comedy, not geopolitics. It is disheartening to find out so late in the day that we have lost our venue. 'I've already ordered the fliers and posters, and filled over 80 slots with comedians who will now all lose work. 'Not only has this cost money and taken a huge amount of time, but more than that, it is hurtful that instead of reassuring the young bar staff who raised concerns, the solution was to remove the Jews from the bill. 'This is emblematic of the problem facing Jewish artists and performers in the UK today.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer cuts off Donald Trump after 'trade deal should favour Scotland' remark Writing in Jewish News, Creeger addressed the Whistlebinkies cancellations by saying: 'They could have reached out to us directly – our working relationship goes back to 2018 – but they didn't and still haven't. 'They could have used the CST [Community Security Trust] contact provided and asked for some training around the subject, but they chose not to. 'Instead, our lovely shows, that are not about politics or the war, were left homeless with 2 weeks to go and everything bought and paid for.' She added: 'But both Philip and I are not victims, we are experienced performers. We will dust ourselves off, and whether or not another venue turns up, this will become part of our story and in time, comedy material.'
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Jewish comics claim fringe shows dropped on mistaken pretext
Two Jewish comedians whose Edinburgh Fringe shows were cancelled say the decision appeared to have been made on an incorrect pretext. Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon told Times Radio that the Whistle Binkies venue told them the cancellation was linked to a 'vigil for IDF soldiers' held during Creeger's performance last year, something the venue later admitted had not happened. Creeger, Britain's only touring comedian who is also a practising Orthodox Jew, explained: 'They initially said that they believed we'd held a vigil for an IDF soldier, a fallen soldier, which is a thing that just hadn't ever happened in either of our shows. The shows are not political, we're not political performers and the IDF is not a relevant subject in either show. 'They later withdrew that and said they understood that that didn't actually happen. 'Last year they went to great lengths to tell us that it was a safe space for us and that they would ensure that we always had positive experiences there. So it came as something of a shock to suddenly be told last Friday that we were no longer welcome on the site.' Simon also said that a different venue decided to drop his performance after searching his social media, adding: 'My solo show, which has been at the same venue for the past two years, a different venue […] told me that my political views didn't align with theirs and therefore they were pulling that show. 'They've effectively done a trawl of social media to decide I didn't quite align with their views relating to the Israeli government. I've never posted about the Israeli government. I've posted about the situation because we're all horrified about what's going on in the Middle East but there's been nothing positive that I put out really about the Israeli government.' He added that he was concerned by the implication of their shows being cancelled. 'Of course people have a right to choose who gets to perform in their venue, but there are also surely protective groups and laws that prevent decisions being made against us for those reasons. 'It seems very much that the decisions that have been taken have not been done because 'we want a different show', it's because of who we are and who they think we represent.' Whistle Binkies was contacted for comment. An Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society spokesperson said: 'The Fringe Society's role is to provide support and advice to all participants at the Festival Fringe with a vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat. We stand for freedom of expression, which has been a core principle of the festival since its inception nearly 80 years ago. The Fringe Society don't manage or programme venues at the festival. 'We understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue. Our Artist Services team continue to support the artists affected, including in their search for an alternative venue. We understand that those conversations are ongoing and hope a resolution is found.'
Spectator
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Edinburgh Fringe is becoming a Jew-free zone
Is the Edinburgh Fringe a Judenfrei zone now? With just a week to go before the Fringe kicks off, Jewish comedians are being unceremoniously cancelled. One venue has allegedly cited 'safety concerns' from staff, saying the extra muscle to deal with the threats to Jewish acts made them feel more unsafe. So instead of protecting Jews, you ditch them? What a shameful capitulation to the anti-Semitic mob. Numerous Jewish-themed comedy shows have been binned at the Whistlebinkies venue in the city. Rachel Creeger, Britain's only practising Orthodox Jewish comedian, has been told her show Ultimate Jewish Mother is no longer going ahead. Jew-O-Rama was next for the chop. That's a comedy night that features a 'rolling line-up of Jewish and Jew-ish comedians'. It's been running at the Fringe for nine years. Not anymore. Seems funny Jews aren't allowed in 2025. And now the host of Jew-O-Rama, Philip Simon, says his one-man show 'Shall I Compare Thee in a Funny Way?' has been cancelled at the Banshee Labyrinth venue. 'I am still processing the concept that in 2025 I can be cancelled just for being Jewish', says Mr Simon. We should all be processing that. We should all be asking how it is possible that at a comedy festival in the 21st century, Jews are being booted off stage. The reasons given by the venues for their blitzing of the Jewish acts are ridiculous. They say it is not because the comedians are Jewish – I guess it is entirely coincidental that every one of the gagged comics is a Jew. No, it's because their bar staff said they would 'feel unsafe' in the presence of such acts and the beefed-up security Jewish performers tragically require in 21st-century Britain. Listen, here's what you do with members of staff who say Jewish performers make them feel unsafe – sack them. Get those people the hell out of your establishments. To prioritise the emotions of pint-pulling Gen Z fainthearts over the artistic liberty of Jews is a grotesque betrayal of the freedom to speak and the equality of Jews. Extra security for Jewish acts should make you feel furious, not 'unsafe'. Furious that a Jew can't even crack a joke these days without requiring an army of heavies. Philip Simon says he was told that his one-man show was scrubbed because his views on 'the humanitarian crisis in Palestine' do not align with those of the venue. What are his scandalous views? Well, he calls himself 'pro-Israel' and he has pleaded for the release of the Israeli hostages. Wanting Jews to be freed from the violent clutches of a neo-fascist militia is a cancellable offence now, it seems. There's a neo-McCarthyite vibe to these venues' erasure of Jews who fail to toe the 'progressive' line on the Israel-Hamas war. Perhaps next year, to save time, the Fringe should check the thinking of every Jew who applies to perform. 'Are you now or have you ever been a sympathiser with the Jews still being held captive by Hamas? Are you now or have you ever been a believer in Israel's right to exist?' Answer carefully, Jew – your livelihood is on the line. It really is that stark: Jewish comics are being robbed of income because Fringe venues are too cowardly to host them. 'We depend on performing for our livelihoods', said Rachel Creeger. And it's not just the Fringe that's rejecting Jewish acts. This is an 'ongoing problem faced by Jewish performers in this country', she says. 'We are being cancelled and often silently boycotted.' These are the awful wages of the Israelophobic frenzy that has swept the cultural establishment these past two years. It's all the rage now to boycott Jews. Last month two shows by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood and the musician Dudu Tassa were cancelled after threats were made against them. The problem? Tassa is a Jew from Israel. And we can't have that. Under the left's bigoted regime of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), Israeli performers have been banned or booed and Jewish film festivals have been cancelled. Imagine thinking you're on the right side of history even as you obsessively make your life Israeli-frei; even as you agitate for the shutting down of Jewish film nights and squeal about feeling 'unsafe' because a Jew with a mic is telling a joke. If a huge line-up of black comics were kicked out of the Edinburgh Fringe, we'd call it what it was. So let's say it here, too: it is heinous, intolerant and discriminatory to cancel Jewish acts at the behest of fragile bar staff or potential anti-Jewish mobs. It is the blackest mark against the Fringe that some of its venues would rather shut Jews down than take the necessary measures to let them perform safely and freely. Throwing Jews to the wolves – shame on you, Edinburgh.
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Cancelling Jewish comedians is capitulation
The cost of bunking down in an Edinburgh August overtook our family resources a few years back, so not for me the exhilarating Fringe ordeal: six shows a day and falling asleep in the small hours with haggis-pizza in hair and keyboard. But exiled fans like to learn by proxy about occasional brilliance, embarrassing idiocies and streaks of perilous bravery. So far, though, the most downheartening news is about cowardice. Two Jewish comedians were taken off the Fringe listings and told by the Whistlebinkies venue, at two weeks' notice, that they were not performing there. Apparently its staff might feel 'unsafe', though the risk of antisemitic demonstration was recognised and security discussed. Seemingly there had been regular 'Free Palestine' graffiti left on toilet doors, needing to be cleaned. Obviously, it can't be worth standing by freedom and equality if it might cause inconvenience, can it? • Doctor who called for abolition of Israel allowed to keep her job Neither show was about Gaza, Israel or war. Rachel Creeger's 'Ultimate Jewish Mother' is, she says, a 'warm hug' about all mums. Philip Simon was to host a 'Jew-o-Rama' of comedic talents (and it is worth remembering how much poorer all showbiz would be without the Jewish contribution, comic or otherwise). His other show has been cancelled too. Creeger, incidentally, observed that she doesn't find 'Free Palestine' slogans a threat and mildly says, 'It's a common thing to see in places. It's people's political statement.' But as Simon says, 'We are cancelled and often silently boycotted. This would not happen to any other ethnic minority; there would be absolute outrage.' Shocked and destabilised, both say it's hard to sleep, and not only because of the financial and professional blow. Simon notes a change in the past year: 'I think people have perhaps got braver in what they feel they can say.' Indeed: last year Jewish audience members were booed for objecting to a Reginald D Hunter joke, and this did not cause the rest of his audience to walk out in contempt. A similar insult from the stage to Jews in the audience at the Soho Theatre did at least get that perpetrator banned. Routine antisemitism is getting easier, less shocking. Public entertainment is a canary in the cultural coalmine, but this is not just about fringe comedy. It is about the visible creep of raw, uncivilised, general contempt for Jews, notably in a generation too young either to feel disgraced by such attitudes or to bother studying the hideous complications of the Middle East. • Pro-Palestinian protesters are threatening me, says MP It is notably within higher education that this easy hate has increased four times faster than anywhere else: students and academics are more likely to commit verbal or physical attacks than the general populace. It is about the easy fashionability of flinging on a keffiyeh to denote that you are one of the good guys, lining up unthinkingly with Hamas's clear mission to destroy the state of Israel and all Jews everywhere. It is in tearing down pictures of hostages, and the laughable idiocy of waving banners saying 'QUEERS FOR PALESTINE'. As if the priority of a Hamas-led regime would be to facilitate Pride marches and transgenderism, rather than execute the lot of them. After the murders and kidnaps of October 7, attacks on Jews in the UK doubled extraordinarily fast: businesses and synagogues have been damaged, Jewish schoolchildren minding their own business have been threatened. Big organised demonstrations week after week are manipulated by leaders keener on ruckus than discussion. Hysterical, deluded individualism erupts, as in that young Irishwoman all over social media screaming 'I am a Palestinian and I am being silenced', when neither is the case. Or the one who last week trashed a table outside Reuben's Café in Baker Street (she was, at least, arrested). When one of the kosher diners, Yael, protested that the group didn't support the Israeli government's action the woman 'said she didn't care and that I was Jewish, so that's all that mattered to her'. • Does Israel's concession on Gaza aid bring a ceasefire any closer? Britain cannot be complacent about this. Warped, childish and moronic though much of it is, antisemitism is too ancient and toxic a rash to be allowed even a millimetre's spread. It is enraging that our government should be contemplating some probably ill-written and illiberal blasphemy law against 'Islamophobia' rather than spending its energy instructing public forces to give no quarter to routine insults against British Jews. One might even cynically point out one difference: extreme Islamist calls for sharia law are commonplace and shruggingly tolerated, while Judaism does not proselytise or demand public concessions but rather the opposite: traditionally resisting converts with care and questioning doubt. As the gentle rabbi Lord Sacks once said to me, 'Over centuries in many lands Jews have learnt to harmonise in a minor key', while the centuries-newer faith has yet to achieve that. It is right — inevitable — to care about the people of Gaza. Inevitable to wince and weep at the immense scale of torment and starvation of its people, near-unbearable to hear daily about innocents caught between Hamas ruthlessness and Binyamin Netanyahu's remorselessness. It is increasingly hard to look away, and reasonable to beg western governments forcibly to relieve the suffering at any cost. Right also to insist, as many Israeli citizens do and its candid friends have done in these pages, that Israel must bend to mercy and reconciliation. But it is not tolerable to convert your shock into cheap, enjoyable, hysterical hatred. No civilised democracy can delude itself that attacking Jews for Jewishness, or pigeon-heartedly discriminating, is forgivable. Or should go unpunished.
