Theatre Vows Stricter Vetting After 'Crude' Comedian Was Cancelled
The Sault Community Theatre Centre's board has vowed to implement stricter vetting procedures following the cancellation of a comedian's performance on March 6. The decision was prompted by the realization that a closer examination of shows is necessary before booking the theatre.
The comedian, Ben Bankas, had his show cancelled after Garden River Chief Karen Bell expressed her opposition to his performance. She deemed his jokes about Indigenous people and residential schools as 'inaccurate' and 'crude'. This cancellation follows similar incidents in Kelowna, Calgary, Thunder Bay, North Bay, and now the Sault, indicating a pattern of controversy surrounding Bankas' performances.
Christopher Rous, the board's president, acknowledged the need for enhanced scrutiny of third-party programming. He stated, 'What occurred has shed light on the need to vet third-party programming with greater vigour to ensure we have appropriate and sufficient guidelines in place.'
Rous emphasized the theatre's commitment to taking steps to prevent future cancellations. He mentioned that local groups account for most bookings, with approximately one-third being out-of-town, third-party bookings. The cancelled event, for instance, was a travelling performance. Rous assured that the theatre will now scrutinize performance content descriptions and promotional materials more thoroughly to ensure compliance with their standards.
Despite the cancellation, the board is reviewing its documentation and working with the promoter to resolve the situation. The president could not confirm whether a cancellation fee would be paid to Bankas or the promoter, but he assured that the theatre is committed to addressing the issue and learning from it.
