Roy Chubby Brown gig to go ahead (CANCELLED)

This gig has been cancelled. Details here. (Updated Thursday evening.)

 

 

Complaints against an upcoming performance by comedian Roy Chubby Brown at Mullingar Arts Centre have been received by this newspaper. The UK-based Royston Vasey, who performs as Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown, is to appear at the arts centre on Sunday, July 8.

His performance is billed as “naughtier than ever”, containing “politically incorrect jokes” that are “delivered with a cheeky grin and perfect comedy timing”.

The over 18s event has been pulled from Cork Opera House, where councillors described the comedian’s humour as “repulsive” and “offensive”. However, Mullingar Arts Centre says views expressed by an artist or group do not necessarily reflect the views of the board members, management or staff.

Fionnuala Conroy, a patron of Mullingar Arts Centre, says: “He is racist, a misogynist, and homophobic. Letting him on stage is giving him a platform. I don’t think it’s right that a publicly funded venue would allow him on their stage.

“People talk about free speech, but he is not encouraging debate and discussion, he’s using hate speech.

“I don’t understand how this can be allowed. He’s not like comedians who are being ironic, it’s pure hate this man speaks.

“For instance, the time The Late Late Show had Katie Hopkins on, RTÉ were accused of giving her a platform. However, there was an opening there to put challenge her claims, and there was audience participation. The audience won’t get a chance to discuss anything with Roy Chubby Brown on stage.”

John McGrath, chairman of the board of directors at Mullingar Arts Centre, says there are no plans to cancel the performance. “The views/comments expressed by any individual artist or group while performing in the arts centre do not necessarily reflect the views of the individual board members or the management and staff of the arts centre.

“In relation to the Roy Chubby Brown show, it has been clearly advertised with appropriate advice; ‘If easily offended please stay away’, ‘Over 18s only’. Therefore it is up to individual patrons should they wish to attend or not.

“I also wish to advise that the show has appeared on June 8 in the Claremorris Town Hall, and on June 9 at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, both without controversy.

“It is also appearing in the Black Box Theatre in Galway on July 6, two days before the Mullingar performance.”