A pantomime in Cheltenham has backed its decision to drop a controversial song allegedly mocking vegans, in its latest production of Mother Goose.
It follows complaints on social media about a song at the end of the show, which makes a dig at the vegan diet, using acronyms for each letter of the word vegan, including “G for gassy’ and “A for anaemic or annoying”. After watching the show several members of the audience complained to the Everyman theatre about the song, saying they found it offensive and could encourage bullying.
One disgruntled theatre goer posted on the theatre’s website, criticising them for bullying vegan children saying that “it leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.” Plant Based News, a vegan website, has also accused the pantomime of reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Marketing Director of the Everyman Theatre Dave Allen said, “After a couple of performances we decided to remove the song, as we had complaints from both vegans and farmers surprisingly!” and went on to say, “our performance of Mother Goose is a live production which is constantly being refined and improved.”
Everyman has since removed the song and replaced it with a version of Old MacDonald. A statement from the theatre said, “the creation team behind this year’s production continuously evaluates all aspects of the performance in order to create the best, most entertaining experience for the audience possible.”
Despite a furore of criticism the show has gone on to received five-star reviews and has been placed on the top ten lists for this year’s festive season. Mr Allen went on to say, “This is our best selling show ever.”
With the controversy behind them the show goes on. Oh no it doesn’t! Oh yes it does!
