A venue at the Edinburgh Fringe has pulled the runs of two Jewish comedians, reportedly over safety concerns.
Rachel Creeger (pictured) and Philip Simon were due to be performing at Whistlebinkies on South Bridge in the centre of the Scottish capital during August, but it has been reported that the popular, well-established pub venue cancelled their bookings over "discomfort".
The performers, who also co-front the podcast Jew Talkin' To Me, were reportedly told that venue staff had complained of feeling “unsafe”.
Their podcast Facebook page added: "With just over a week to go till the start of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, we are devastated to announce that Philip Simon - Comedian’s Jewish compilation show Jew-O-Rama and Rachel Creeger Comedian/Writer/Director’s solo show Ultimate Jewish Mother will no longer be part of the line up. Despite having worked with the venue for many years, managers at Whistlebinkies have cited bar staff discomfort at hosting Jewish shows, leaving both performers out in the wilderness. Philip and Rachel are hurt and saddened by this shocking cancellation of Jewish voices and hope alternative venues can be found."
Creeger added on her FB page: "I am so sad, shocked and confused by this. Philip Simon and I had always felt very supported in this space." And later after a gig in London posted: "Me and my Jewish self and my Jewish headscarf and my Jewish material just got offstage at The Backyard Comedy Club to a lovely big round of applause from complete strangers and that’s the bit of today to really hold on to. That and all of the lovely people who have reached out to Philip Simon and me, it means so much. Sorry if I haven't replied to you, it's all been a bit overwhelming."
The shows, part of PBH's Free Fringe, were not political. Simon's hour was a show featuring other acts. Creeger, who describes herself as the only practicing orthodox Jew on the mainstream UK comedy circuit, was performing her show Ultimate Jewish Mother, which also ran at the same venue last year. In the show Creeeger takes on the role of a Jewish mother who can solve anyone's problems.
Whistlebinkies and the Fringe Society have not commented yet.
