Jerry Sadowitz's short Edinburgh Fringe run has become even shorter. The controversial comic/magician was supposed to be doing two nights at the Lennox Theatre at the Pleasance @ the Edinburgh Conference Centre, but following the first show on Friday night the second show on Saturday August 13 appears to be no longer taking place. At the time of writing it is still on the Fringe website but it is not possible to purchase tickets.
Social media and one tabloid report suggests that there might have been complaints about what he said and did onstage at last night's show. Beyond The Joke has reached out to The Pleasance for more details. Not that Sadowitz would approve of the words "reached out".
Could it have been something Sadowitz said? Knowing his reputation for being the absolute antithesis of woke comedy it could have been anything he said...
A Twitter account @realjsadowitz which seems to be his official account said: "Did a show last night, 75 mins, thought it went well. Didn't see any walkouts. Today I’m told my show's been cancelled. Great stuff. I'm truly sorry for everyone who travelled to see the show tonight."
The Pleasance later issued the following statement: "The Pleasance Theatre Trust have cancelled Jerry Sadowitz’s second and final show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with immediate effect. In today’s society, opinions such as those displayed on stage by Sadowitz are not acceptable and The Pleasance are not prepared to be associated with such material."
Comedian Richard Herring tweeted: "Jerry is a challenging comedian but that’s the whole point of his act. The Fringe should not be cancelling shows in any case. Very worrying development. Would love to hear the reasoning behind this decision. Or why seemingly no one has explained it to Jerry."
Fans can still see him on tour later this year. Buy tickets here and also headlining a special gig in Margate in September.
All-round entertainer Jack Gleadow has had to pull a couple of performances of his latest show Jack's Entertainment at Just The Tonic @ The Caves for a different reason. He has unfortunately lost his laptop – suspected stolen – with all of his sound cues and show-related bits and bobs on it.
The comedy circuit has rallied round though, quickly setting up a Crowdfunder page. You can donate here.
He is hoping to do a more slimmed down unplugged version for a while and then get back up and running with all the bells and whistles.