Sydney Festival issues refunds after ‘deeply offensive’ recording

Attendees of a Sydney Festival performance have been issued refunds after an audio recording some deemed “deeply offensive” sparked walkouts.

The Sydney Festival has offered refunds to attendees of a performance last week that played a prerecorded pro-Palestinian message.

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies issued a “community warning” on social media on Friday, saying the performance of Airtime, run by multidisciplinary group Branch Nebula at the Seymour Centre in Chippendale, contained “deeply offensive anti-Semitic messages” that included the phrase “from the river to the sea”.

The board accused Branch Nebula of inciting violence with the prerecorded audio message, which was reportedly presented by a “masked artist”.

The post also demanded the Sydney Festival issue refunds to the “numerous attendees” who were “forced to walk out with their children”.

Refunds have been issued for audience members who walked out of the Airtime performance at the Sydney Festival. Picture: Sydney Festival

The Guardian reported the Sydney Festival had since issued 19 refunds for ticket holders.

A Branch Nebula spokesperson told NewsWire the Airtime performance comprised “six incredibly talented and brave artists”, and the audio message was recorded by a Palestinian cast member.

“We have received an overwhelming majority of support for this statement however, a small amount of complaints has occurred,” the spokesperson told NewsWire.

“By accommodating the complaints and demands of a few, we would exclude people in our community and our team.”

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Michele Goldman told NewsWire it was “unacceptable to lure young children to an ‘family friendly’ event only to berate them with extremist messages”.

“The Sydney Festival has failed supporters by letting this go ahead,” Mr Goldman said.

A Sydney Festival spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph that they were not informed of the political messaging and requested the organisers remove or modify the audio recording, but the request was denied.

“Sydney Festival acknowledges the distress or frustration experienced by audience members,” the spokesperson said.

“Sydney Festival expressed its concerns to the producer and requested that the messaging be withdrawn or modified to address audience unease … the producer chose to proceed with the content.”

The Sydney Festival has since issued a content warning on the event website.

“The performance of Airtime by Branch Nebula includes content that acknowledges sensitive and complex political issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza,” the message read.

“It reflects the personal views of the artists. Some audience members may find aspects of the content challenging or confronting.”

NewsWire has contacted the Sydney Festival for comment.

Originally published as Sydney Festival issues refunds after ‘deeply offensive’ recording