Soho Theatre Bans Belfast Comedian After Jewish Attendee Told To ‘Get Out’

Comedian Paul Currie performs at the 2015 Dublin Fringe. (Screengrab via YouTube)

Soho Theatre permanently banned Belfast comedian Paul Currie after it said Jewish audience members were made to feel “unsafe” and subjected to “verbal abuse” during his show on Saturday night.

The central London comedy venue took the decision after investigating claims that Currie unleashed a tirade on an attendee who objected to the display of a Palestinian flag during his Shtoom show in front of a 200-strong crowd.

According to Soho Theatre, Currie, known for his surrealist act in which he does not speak, came onstage at the end brandishing Ukrainian and Palestinian flags and “encouraged a standing ovation.” When a Jewish member of the audience refused he told the man to “get out” and “aggressively demanded” other members of the audience who felt the same leave.

The man and several others reportedly left.

In a statement the venue said: “Such appalling actions are unacceptable and have no place on our stages, now or ever. We will not be inviting Paul Currie back to perform at our venue.”

According to another audience member, who spoke to the BBC, Currie did not use the words “Jewish”, “Judaism” or “Zionism.”

The incident was also reported to the Metropolitan police, who are also investigating.