Russell Brand cancels Australian show in Perth over coronavirus fears
Flamboyant British comedian Russell Brand has cancelled one of his sold out scheduled gigs after a confirmed case of coronavirus at the venue.
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Flamboyant British comedian Russell Brand has cancelled his sold out scheduled gig for the Perth Concert Hall tonight after a confirmed case of coronavirus in a visitor at the venue on Saturday.
Over the weekend it was confirmed that WA’s fourth coronavirus victim had attended the venue for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra production of Absolute Beethoven, despite awaiting test results for COVID-19.
Brand took to Twitter to confirm he had pulled out of the gig at the eleventh hour at lunchtime today.
He wrote: “We have to SADLY CANCEL TONIGHT’S SHOW IN #PERTH because there has been a CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONAVIRUS in someone who attended a recent show and I am not happy with risk for me or for any of you.
“My apologies, I hope I see you soon.”
Despite the last minute cancellation, many of his fans took to social media to support the late decision saying it was in the best interest of everyone’s health.
Others were less impressed with the move saying that he had kowtowed to panic and that it was an overly cautious call.
The Twitter announcement came less than an hour after Perth Concert Hall had moved to allay fears of cancellations, insisting that all precautions had been taken to clean the venue and that performances would go ahead as planned.
On its Facebook page this morning the concert hall’s admin posted:
“Rest assured that Perth Concert Hall is open for business as usual. The venue has been fully cleaned in line with Government guidelines, and all performances are proceeding as scheduled.
“Our Box Office is currently experiencing a high number of phone calls. If you’re having trouble getting through, we recommend ringing after 11am or contacting us via messenger or email at boxoffice@perthconcerthall.com.au.”
WA chief health officer Andrew Robertson has since said that the Health Department had not advised Perth Concert Hall or Brand to cancel tonight’s performance.
“I think the risk is very low there. She was very early in the disease, but that’s a decision that obviously the Perth Concert Hall and the performer need to make,” he said.
“We have not been asked for advice by Perth Concert Hall on that matter.”
It’s unclear if his second and final Australian show in Adelaide planned for Wednesday night at the Thebarton Theatre is still going ahead.
News Corp has contacted Brand’s management for comment.
Originally published as Russell Brand cancels Australian show in Perth over coronavirus fears