Scenestr, Kween Kong in Adelaide Fringe review ‘racism’ row

An apology over a Queensland-based arts publication’s review has not satisfied a Fringe performer who is demanding a stronger public statement.

SA drag queen Kween Kong. Picture: Eric Brumfield

In a week where Harry and Meghan’s claims of racism took centre stage, the Adelaide Fringe has found itself in the middle of right royal race allegations of its own.

This week, Queensland-based arts publication Scenestr posted an online review of the cabaret drag brunch show Smashed, playing in the Garden Of Unearthly Delights.

In keeping with the “brunch” theme of the performance, the review compared each of the show’s acts to various breakfast items.

Fringe performers Lizzy Baker, Kween Kong and Alex De Porteous from the show Smashed. Picture: Matt Turner

But it hit a raw nerve when it came to local drag queen Kween Kong – aka Thomas Fonua – with the reviewer describing the performer as “Tongan and Samoan drag queen Kween Kong, the black pudding”.

In a social media post this week, Smashed’s creator and performer Victoria Falconer-Pritchard called for an immediate retraction and public apology from Scenestr.

“While the description may have been unconscious and passive in its offensiveness (as racial bias so often is), this does not diminish its potency for harm,” Falconer-Pritchard said.

“No matter what the intention, the racially motivated and casually ‘othering’ power of this review needed to be called out.”

While the reviewer apologised and the review was quickly edited to remove the offending phrase, Scenestr’s publisher Howard Duggan rejected calls for an apology from Scenestr itself.

“I said I felt the request was an overreach, given the writer had apologised, the article had been immediately amended, the context and intent of the article was positive, that all parties agreed no offence was intended,” he said in a lengthy and blistering response.

“I specifically said – twice – I’d be happy to discuss this further and to please relay to Mr Fonua that I’d welcome a call from him.

“Our writer accepts his choice of words was ultimately racist, but for Ms Falconer to claim it is ‘undeniably and inexplicably racist’ is disingenuous.”

Mr Duggan’s response has been panned by some in the wider arts community, with many echoing the Smashed cast’s calls for a public apology.

Fringe director Heather Croall. Picture: Nick Clayton

It said apologies must be made “when we have caused hurt, intentional or not”.

The Adelaide Fringe and its chief executive Heather Croall issued statements in support of the Smashed cast, also calling for a public apology.

“We want to extend our full support to the artists through what must be an exhausting and deeply upsetting time,” the Adelaide Fringe said.

Scenestr’s Adelaide-based reviewer James Murphy said: “I have been devastated by the hurt that has been caused. I never intended it and I am committed to doing all that I can to ensure that I never cause such harm again.”

Mr Duggan was sticking to his guns, saying on Monday “we have received a strong level of support for our stance”.

“Those who wish to make public allegations of writing being ‘racially motivated’ should expect nothing but the harshest of public scrutiny,” he said.