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The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, England found itself at the center of a heated debate recently after a pantomime performance sparked controversy over a comedy song targeting vegans. The production, Mother Goose, faced criticism from audience members who found the song’s lyrics derogatory and offensive towards vegans.
The contentious song, featuring in the festive pantomime, included lines such as “the ‘G’ in vegan stands for gassy, while the ‘A’ stands for either anemic or annoying.” This prompted complaints from theatergoers who labeled the song as “bullying” and expressed concerns about its impact on young audience members, particularly those who identify as vegan. One audience member, a young girl who is vegan, shared her distress with her father after experiencing teasing from classmates who repeated the song’s lyrics. Her father voiced his disappointment, questioning the necessity of including such “spiteful jibes towards vegans” in what should be a joyous theatrical experience for all.
Responding to the outcry, production executives decided to remove the song from future performances of Mother Goose. In a statement, the Everyman Theatre emphasized its commitment to respecting all audience members’ views and comments, acknowledging the collaborative nature of pantomime where audience engagement is paramount. Despite the controversy, Mother Goose continued to receive acclaim with five-star reviews. The removal of the song is unlikely to detract from future performances, as the pantomime’s dynamic nature allows for ongoing adjustments and improvisations by the cast.
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