Smith 'to sue' over bad review

Scottish comedian Elaine C Smith is planning to sue a critic who gave her a vitriolic review.

Actors' union Equity has sought legal advice over comments Allan Brown made in the Scottish edition of the Sunday Times over her appearance as a pantomime dame in Sleeping Beauty.

The review, published in December, made scathing attacks on her appearance and abilities, saying she dominated the stage in the same way 'Mussolini dominated Abyssinia'.

Equity claims the piece was gratuitously offensive, and went beyond fair comment - the usual defence a critic would employ in any libel action.

Lorne Boswell, the union's Scottish secretary, told the Glasgow Herald: "Anyone who read that review would clearly conclude that it had overstepped the mark.

"He is not simply commenting on the performance. Allan Brown appears to have an axe to grind. It appears to be personal and vindictive.

"The issue has gone to our counsel. It is a viable claim."

In a recent interview, Rab C Nesbit star Smith claimed Brown "came to do me in".

She said; "You're up there. You annoy them, so they have to pull you down. I get a really sneering attitude from some critics. One called me racist, talentless, things like that."

The Sunday Times declined to comment, but said it would be defend any legal action.

Smith's lawyers would have to prove in court that a 'reasonable person' would think less of Smith as a result of the piece, and that it went beyond reasonable criticism or was driven by malice. It is rare, but not unheard of, for critics to be successfully sued.

Published: 27 Mar 2004