Belfast comedian Paul Currie removed from Melbourne International Comedy Festival after outburst

An Irish comedian who yelled and swore at a Jewish audience member in London has been banned from this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Belfast comedian Paul Currie has come under fire after yelling and swearing at a Jewish audience member. Picture: Mike Burton

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has removed Belfast comedian Paul Currie from its program after he was involved in an incident in London last weekend.

Currie was due to perform here in April but his participation was reviewed after he yelled at an audience member to “get out”.

Towards the end of his show at the Soho Theatre Currie displayed both a Ukrainian and Palestinian flag and objected to a man who refused his request for a standing ovation.

The man, later revealed to be Israeli, said he felt threatened and unsafe when Currie was said to have erupted and swore.

The man said other audience members turned on him and were also shouting “get out” and “free Palestine”. Another audience member said what he witnessed was “shocking”.

“Paul Currie has been removed from the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival program,’’ a MICF statement read.

“The Melbourne International Comedy Festival program includes challenging and thought-provoking work and the Festival recognises that the art of comedy is a natural environment for exploration of and comment on contemporary social and political issues.

“The Festival endorses the Artist’s freedom to push creative boundaries however, no audience or staff member, in any festival venue, should ever feel victimised or threatened. Intimidation, violence or abuse will not be tolerated by the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

“Material that encourages, or normalises violence of any kind, racism, misogyny, ableism or persecution of the LGBTIQ+ communities does not have a place in the Melbourne Comedy Festival.”

The London Soho Theatre said it would not invite Currie back to perform and that “such appalling actions are unacceptable and have no place on our stages, now or ever.”

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, had urged MICF to take action and welcomed the development.

Currie’s show called Shtoom was slated for April 10-12 at Chapel Off Chapel.

“I welcome the principled and clear eyed decision by the MICF in listening to our concerns and for showing Mr Currie the door,’’ Dr Abramovich said.

“This is a victory for decency and our shared values, and conveys the unmistakeable message that the Jewish and other communities matter and that anyone who traffics in antisemitism and discrimination will never be given a platform in our city. I applaud the Festival leadership’s principled stand in demonstrating their revulsion at Mr Currie’s indefensible behaviour.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, has called on MICF organisers and backers to withdraw their support for Mr Currie’s show. Picture: Josie Hayden

“This is a shining moment for multiculturalism and a celebration of the ideals of respect and inclusivity. Silence and inaction was not an option. Allowing him to perform here would have been a slap in the face to us all, and would have dishonoured this wonderful event.”

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from March 27-April 21.

Originally published as Belfast comedian Paul Currie removed from Melbourne International Comedy Festival after outburst