Comics hit back at Springer protest

Yakub Qureshi

March 20, 2006

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AGAINST: The Christians.

AGAINST: The Christians. 1/2 Play Slideshow

THE staging of controversial musical Jerry Springer The Opera brought protesters to the streets of Manchester last night - but placard-waving supporters of the show outnumbered Christian protesters.

The irreverent production - based on the infamous US chat show - features versions of God, Mary and Jesus Christ, who is portrayed wearing a nappy and swearing.

The show provoked national controversy when broadcast by the BBC last year.

A record 45,000 phoned, wrote or e-mailed to complain, while Christian groups have threatened to picket stage performances.

But on the streets outside the Opera House last night, a small group of around 10 protesters opposed to the show were out-numbered by a group of noisy Manchester comedians, who carried placards reading "Don't Gag the Gagsters".

Freedom

Organiser Mike Landers, who heads the Manchester Comedy Forum, said: "We are concerned about freedom of speech. There seem to be a lot of things conspiring against this freedom because of the protest against the Prophet cartoons and the religious hatred bill. We think it is the job of comedians to be able to say what we think, even if it offends people."

On the first night of the show's 13-night run in the city, theatre-goers also seemed unworried by the show's content.

University worker Victoria Stone said: "It's just a show. People don't have to see it if they don't want to."

However protester Rita Rowan, from Failsworth, said: "We are here to show that we opposed this obscenity. This blasphemy wouldn't be allowed if other religions were being insulted."

And Therese Gergely, from Crumpsall, added: "I have seen the show so I know what it's like. We agree with freedom of speech but we don't agree with obscenity."

IS Jerry Spinger the Opera simply 'entertainment' - or an attack on the Christian religion? Have your say.

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Mike Thorpe, Stockport (21/03/2006 at 09:20)

Well done to the free speech people for sticking up for what they believe in. I understand that many of the theatre-goers were wearing the stickers supplied by the Comedy Forum people.

Annie, Chorlton (21/03/2006 at 09:30)

Blasphemy, as an offence, REALLY needs to be removed from the law books if we want to progress as a society.

Cartainly we shouldn't tolerate religious persecution or violence, but then again, we need to start facing the fact that majority of people in the UK are not religious and have no intention of having their lives affected by belief systems.

The turnout of 2 to 1 against the protesters at the Opera House says it all.

Isn't it sad that some religions feel so threatened by a piece of comedy. Musn't have much faith in their religion's resilience.

Derek O'Brien, Rochdale (21/03/2006 at 10:20)

If God is omnipotent, I'm thinking He can pretty much take anything thrown at Him, including a show that doesn't attack Him anywhere near what some of His narrow-minded dogmatic allies might want you to think it does.

Pamela, Crumpsall (21/03/2006 at 10:30)

After the storm surrounding the BBC's intention to Broadcast this musical last year I decided to watch it. I'm not a fan of Springer and I'm not keen on Opera.

This play was a witty comedic take on what would happen if the people mentioned in the Bible were to be around today. Nobody would be interested in them unless they had something "extra".

It was about the tabloidisation of television and the dumbing down of what is shown and what people watch.

Let's face it, Christians are waiting the second coming. If somebody arrived and said they are the son of God, would they believe them or would they think, David Icke is here again?

I'm an atheist and have the right to condemn all religions equally as false, but no evangelical christian has the right to tell me what I can watch, see, think. The middle ages are long gone.

Fixit, Middleotn (21/03/2006 at 10:43)

Well said Pam! In utter agreement.........

Janet Browne, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 11:01)

For peace and understanding between people it is necessary to respect what they hold sacred. Why should Christians be subjected to provocations which injure their religious feelings? The only path that leads to peace is that of respect for other people's convictions and religious practices.

Brainne, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 11:59)

I was there last night to protest the protest. My take on this show, and I have seen it twice (and enjoyed it), is that the characters that are Jesus, Mary etc, are just that, characters. Everyone knows them and can relate to the humour based on them as they know a lot about them anyway. I can see that that may be offensive to some, but then they don't need to watch it, surely.
I hope everyone enjoyed the show.

Mark, Stockport (21/03/2006 at 12:06)

I support the show, but lets not be taken in by these sanctimonious comedians preaching "free speech and liberalism".
Because if any religion and its followers were ripe for a cutting satirical opera - it would be Islam. These hypocritical writers/comedians would never dare touch that religion though, because they know they'd become outcasts in the trendy bars they go in and the fashionable chattering classes who run the BBC & Channel 4 would blacklist them as bigots. [Mocking Christians = a perceived white majority and so OK. Mocking Muslims = "just so uncool & not trendy" sweetie!]

And before the writers whinge that they're only familiar with Christianity - well any comedian/writer worth his salt in our multicultural society is "surely" going to be familiar with Islam too!! Of course any UK based comedian can write a satire about Islam and its followers - it's hardly as obscure as Balinese dance is it???
So these writers & comedians are just a bunch of lily-livered hypocrites!!

Adam, Withington (21/03/2006 at 12:43)

So, because these comedians have not, between them, written a satire on every major religion, they are not qualified to object to attempts to silence a criticism of one religion? What twisted logic.

Stuart, Tameside (21/03/2006 at 12:44)

I wouldn't give this second rate attention seeking nonsense more publicity than it deserves. It's also amusing how bible bashers always mention islam in conjunction with this debate, as if they're daring people to lampoon that religion too, so it's actually okay to savagely lampoon religion? Make your minds up. Religion-a nitwits charter spreading hate and death for centuries, god help us.

Alex, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 12:44)

Mark,

Free speech is free speech. I'm quite happy to criticise Islam as well (and I was against the cartoon protests as well). JS: TO is art which is part of the national debate. When one group attempts to restrict what the other side can say by use of the law it just tells me their not confident enough in their arguments to have a free and open discussion.

Annie, Chorlton (21/03/2006 at 12:52)

Mark, it's probably because Christians are less likely to burn flags, throw firebombs and threaten lives than if Islam was slighted.

Frankly, I really believe a stand has to be made against religious oppression (ie. oppressing the non-religious into relinquishing their right to free speech). It is an absolute right to criticise, question and satire religions.

I have my feelings hurt on an occasional basis, don't you? What makes belief systems so untouchable that they require some kind of special treatment?

What people believe is their own business. In their homes and temples that is also their right, but bringing it out onto the street, or into the media is utterly intolerable.

David Banner, Bismark, North Dakota, USA. (21/03/2006 at 13:12)

Too true Mark. I think the problem nowadays is that people are scared of saying anything about Islam due to the over the top reactions that occur if anyone dares utter the name of Allah in a bad light. Even as embassies were being burned around the world and people being threatened with beheading, our media did not condemn the actions as strongly as they should. I am not religious myself but feel that anyone is allowed to have their faith, but they also have to respect everybody elses beliefs, and that includes ridicule. The "right on brigade" that includes these comics should make jokes about Islam as well as Christianity, Judaism and the like as that is what makes being a true human, and not a sheep all about.

Angie, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 13:15)

Mark from stockport, I refer you to Comedian Shazia Mirza, a practising Muslim woman who mocks her own faith.
Have you actually watched any live comedy in the past 5 years? I mean actually gone to a comedy night not watched it on the telly? If so you may have noticed that Islam, Buddism, Christianity and many other religions are equal fodder to gigging circuit comedians, who these people were, not TV sell-outs.
Good on those people for showing the silly small minded bigots for what they are.

Josh Tager, Todmorden (21/03/2006 at 13:18)

I think Mark from Stockport needs to calm down or he??TMll do himself an injury. The so-called ??~hypocritical writers/comedians??TM weren??TMt out there in support of condemning Christiantiy, but in support of free speech, and it would have made no difference whether the play??TMs targets were Christian, Muslim, Sikh or Wiccan. And those comedians out there were local standups, don??TMt appear on the BBC or Channel 4, and don't grovel to the chattering classes. Perhaps Mark should write a satire of Islam himself - or does his apparent bitterness stem from having tried that already, and failed?

Phil, Fallowfield (21/03/2006 at 13:21)

What was shown last night was the perfect example of how things should be. The anti-show protesters came over to the pro-show guys and had a chat. There was respect shown from both sides. We turned up to protest, not because we feel that Christianity should be ridiculed but in defence of the right to say what you think, as long as it doesn??TMt encourage hatred. You can criticise any religion but do so you have to understand that religion. That is why you don??TMt see many comics doing muslim jokes as most do not know enough about it to make comment. As for the ??~scared in case we are blacklisted comment??TM, you obviously know very little about the comedy scene in Manchester. Most were people who do gig all over the place for little money. Not all comics are Peter Kay

Adam, Withington (21/03/2006 at 13:34)

Being as I am the guy in the centre of the comedians photo, can I just state for the record that I have, on occasion, taken potshots at Islam. I don't tend to do so that often, though. Largely because I have funnier material, rather than fear of a backlash (which has happened. Once.)

Mike Landers, Stockport (21/03/2006 at 14:01)

As organiser of the "anti-protest", I thought I'd better respond. First off, its nice to be thought of being in with the BBC and Channel 4 executives. If only that was true - but I wish to publicly state to any BBC execs reading that I am available for a chat with Davina on Wednesday night primetime. I got thrown out of the last trendy bar I tried to get into, as the management realised I wasn't currently in a rubbish soap or forging a career as an ex-Big Brother contestant. Although after seeing Pete Doherty on the front page of the MEN, perhaps I ought to develop an expensive drug habit to get myself some publicity.

Second, I'd like to congratulate Mark from Stockport and David Banner from the US on missing the point by a wide, wide margin. Last night wasn't a protest against Christianity, any more than it was a protest against cheese and ham sandwiches. Last night wasn't a protest AGAINST anything, let alone an entire religion. What it was, was a POSITIVE show of our support FOR free speech. We are in favour of freedom of expression and we wanted to show that a significant number of people care about being allowed to express an opinion and there are more of us than of those who would like to stop it.

And finally, if Mark and David wish to put their money where their mouth is and address this so-called imbalance (hey, I've got anti-Islamic extremist jokes too), why not phone up the Frog and Bucket for a spot at their free "Beat The Frog" open mic show on Monday night? I think you'll find the Manchester comedy community very supportive of new acts with original material about different parts of life.

John, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 14:44)

This is fantastic. For too long the minority of small minded people have been ruining things for the rest of us and it's great that the majority of usually apathetic people (me included) have stood up and been counted. I only wish I'd have known about this as I would have gladly joined you guys. Why is it small minded people have the loudest mouths? Well not in Manchester they don't!

In Favour, Romiley (21/03/2006 at 15:05)

If these so called Christians dont like 'Jerry Springer - The Musical' nobody is forcing them to watch it so they should push off and get on with their lives and let others watch what they want to. The same applies to watching TV programmes, there is a switch they can turn if they dont like anything instead of bleating about anything and everything.

anthony, bury (21/03/2006 at 15:53)

im not a religious person but loking at it from outside i do believe that if this opera had been ridiculing islam it would have been banned there would have been violence on a massive scale!if this country does believe in freedom of speech etc. then why were the cartoons that have caused so much trouble not shown in the british media? jack straw praised the media for there respect of muslims.why the double standards?

Dave Allen, Southport (21/03/2006 at 16:23)

The so called comics, none of whom, actually, we recognise, may think it's ok to go around insulting whomsoever they like, but I am quite sure they would be the first to protest if someone blatantly ridiculed and made fun of someone they loved and respected. We agree with freedom of speech, but we don't think it's a licence to be obscene. And don't they think we have the right to protest as much as they have the right to offend? All a bit one sided I think.

Anon, Anon (21/03/2006 at 20:29)

There were comedians in Manchester? Your having a laugh....haven't seen any decent comedians live or on TV in years, unless you count the repeats of The Comedians on Sky.

Stephen, Inverness (21/03/2006 at 22:38)

This show hides behind a veil of "comedy". Ultimatly it mocks and lampoons God and Jesus Christ, it is offensive to Christians and all right minded people. Our society has degenerated into a free for all - where supposedly its okay to more or less anything. As Jesus said we need to repent of our sins - we will all have to give an account before God almighty one day whether we think it's right or not. As it says in the bible "God will not be mocked"

Ros, Manchester (21/03/2006 at 23:05)

I took part in the protest protest, and I would like to reiterate that in no way were we threatening to the Christians that did turn up, nor were we disparaging or insulting towards their beliefs. One girl had hand written 300 postcard to hand out, you have to respect that kind of commitment. And we do. The point of the protest was to highlight freedom of speech. We weren't there to cause a riot, we were there to attention seek and we definately weren't there to upset anyone. I think the Christian protesters understood that as well as we did.

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