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AGAINST: The Christians.
AGAINST: The Christians.
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Comics hit back at Springer protest

Yakub Qureshi
20/ 3/2006

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.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(37)


Most recent 2 of 37 user comments

   Christianity being mocked? Never, I just cant understand why? After all, any sane person must believe a man with a beard sits on a cloud, created everything in 7 days and placed a man and a women on earth as the first beings. Then, he decides to let a virgin have a baby which grows up to be blue eyed and blonde haired even though he is born in the middle east, which makes him a bit odd to start with! He is then crucified, rises a few months later and gives everyone an excuse to buy expensive chocolate eggs! Sounds like a believable and sensible set of events to me, so I say leave the Christians alone, no way should they be poked fun at for believing this. Saying that, it does make Scientology believable. Still the Christians should get upset, than can always forgive Jerry and his show. And finally, I have one question for the Christians out there, why didn't you release forgotten town on 12 inch? Ha!
Fixit, Middleton
7/04/2006 at 10:39

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   Three cheers to the comedy fans.

It doesn't matter if we'd heard of them, their view is as valid as the people they were counter protesting against.
Simon Jerram, Audenshaw
6/04/2006 at 12:11

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