Offensive comic to play three nights this August

Jerry Sadowitz is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe – a year after his shows were cancelled amid much publicity.

The magician and comedian will be at the Queen’s Hall for three night, from August 23 to 25. And the performance is billed as ‘Last Year’s Show’ in a nod to the former controversy.

And, of course he promises not to tone down his offensive act, vowing: ‘No more Mr Nice Guy.’

Last year, the Pleasance venue cancelled the second of two nights of Sadowitz’s Edinburgh International Conference Centre following complaints about the opening gig.

The venue said it championed free speech while sating the comic expressed opinions on stage that were ‘not acceptable’ .

At the time one audience member told the Scottish Sun: ‘He called Rishi Sunak a 'p***'; said the economy was awful because it is run by "blacks and women". He got his penis out to a woman in the front row.’

Anthony Alderson, director of the Pleasance said: ‘The Pleasance is a venue that champions freedom of speech and we do not censor comedians’ material. While we acknowledge that Jerry Sadowitz has often been controversial, the material presented at his first show is not acceptable and does not align with our values. This type of material has no place on the festival.’

Comics largely rallied to Sadowitz’s defence saying he should not have been cancelled.

This year’s shows are  being staged by Scottish music promoters  Regular Music – who work with the likes of Noel Gallagher, The Proclaimers and Hozier – rather than comedy promoters.

Tickets for Sadowitz’s Fringe run go on sale on Thursday at 11am from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Published: 9 May 2023