Sydney Theatre Company foundation director Tim Minchin appears to have weighed into the controversy at the company, telling a Canberra audience on Monday the actors who wore Palestinian scarves on stage were misguided, and thanking Jews for their support of the arts.

An attendee of Minchin’s sold-out concert at Llewellyn Hall quoted the beloved performer as saying the three actors who donned keffiyehs at the November 25 curtain call of The Seagull probably did not understand the offence caused to Jewish attendees.