Comedian Terry Gilliam’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods is set to for Bath after it was cancelled by The Old Vic when staff protested over the Monty Python star’s strident views on the threat to freedom of speech by Wokeism.
Although Mr Gilliam (80) is co-directing Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musical, London’s theatre surprised everyone last month by announcing that the show’s eagerly awaited run in the capital for Spring 2022 has been cancelled.
Scenario Two Productions confirmed that Theatre Royal Bath will present Gilliam’s much-anticipated show starting August 2012.
Old Vic employees were said to have protested – and one was so upset they even resigned – because of Gilliam’s criticism of transgender rights, the #MeToo movement and BBC diversity, once joking that he identified as a ‘black lesbian in transition’.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul, said last year that he was aware of allegations of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment and abuse.
After numerous sexual assault allegations were made against Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in 2017, the reputation of the Old Vic was severely damaged.
Scenario Two boss John Berry said the theatre bosses in Bath had shown an interest in hosting the musical within hours of the Old Vic withdrawing its support in November. He said Mr Sondheim, who died on November 26, was ‘steadfast’ in his support for Gilliam, adding the celebrated composer would ‘wholeheartedly approve the idea of staging in Bath’.
The Old Vic pulled Terry Gilliam’s comedy show because of his controversial views about trans rights. Theatre Royal Bath, however, will be presenting his Sondheim show next season
The 80-year-old Monty Python actor was originally set to direct Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods in the next year. But, The Old Vic abruptly cancelled it for spring next year.
Gilliam endorses Chapelle’s Netflix show in a Facebook post
According to Mr Berry, “It is perfect for us.” The production is tested and will then be brought to town. [London]. It’s going to be very exciting. It is in some ways the ideal environment to Terry’s vision. Sondheim loved that we were headed there.
According to reports, Gilliam’s co-director Leah Hausman and senior management met Gilliam later on ‘a matter of course’ in order to talk about their culture and values.
A producer anonymous added that ‘Officially there are younger artists with different views than the older generation but does this mean that inspirational artists such as Gilliam need to be cancelled?
Old Vic employees were reported to have been angry. One even resigned due to Gilliam’s position on Harvey Weinstein, #MeToo and transgender rights according to The Stage.
Gilliam publicly supported Dave Chappelle in October, who was accused of insulting the trans community. Staff at Netflix walked out after the comments, however Gilliam described his comedy as’socially conscious, dangerously provocative, and gut-wrenchingly hilarious’.
Gilliam said that in 2018, he had told the world that he was black and he responded to the BBC diversity discussion by saying, “I tell the whole world now, I’m a lesbian.” Last year, Gilliam caused a new backlash by calling the #MeToo Movement a “witch hunt” that allowed ‘decent people to be hammered.
In 2017, the Old Vic suffered serious consequences from the #MeToo movement. During Kevin Spacey’s tenure as theatre’s artistic and creative director, many allegations of sexual assault were levelled against Spacey.
The Old Vic cancelled Gilliam’s program a week after Gilliam asked his 495,000 Facebook friends to subscribe to Chappelle’s controversial Netflix show, The Closer.
He wrote, “I encourage all of you watch Dave Chappelle’s new series, The Closer,” on Netflix. He said, “To me, he is the greatest standup comedian alive right now: extremely intelligent, socially conscious, dangerously provocative, gut-wrenchingly hilarious.”
Chappelle’s jokes that ‘gender’ is an actual fact have caused fury among trans activists. He is trying to satire trans activist’s oversensitivity.
J K Rowling (Harry Potter author) had earlier observed that transgender women weren’t women, and they were a threat.
He joked that transwomen are viewed by women in the same manner as black women might see black women with blackface. Caitlyn Jenner was named Glamour’s Woman of the year 2015. He said that transwomen are allowed to be angry.
In 2017, the Old Vic suffered serious consequences from the #MeToo movement. During Kevin Spacey’s tenure as artistic director, numerous accusations of sexual assault against him were made.
There were concerns in May about Gilliam’s relationship with the Old Vic. However, the bosses of the company continued to produce the show.
No one from the central London theatre was available to comment last night, but The Old Vic has told The Stage in a statement executive director Kate Varah had met with staff following the show’s announcement in May.
The Stage reports that members of the Old Vic 12, the organization’s artistic growth scheme, were among the people who voiced their concerns.
Reports indicate that Gilliam and Leah Hausman, the co-director of Gilliam, met with top management afterwards to discuss their values and culture.
A spokesperson said that the Old Vic and Scenario Two had mutually decided not to produce Into the Woods at The Old Vic. We will not comment further.
Into the Woods premiered on Broadway in 1987, before it made its West End debut in the Phoenix Theatre in 1991. Later, it was revived at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2010.
This film was made for Disney’s big horror in 2015, with Meryl Steep, James Corden, and Johnny Depp as the main cast.
It isn’t the first time that a Python has voiced anti-woke criticism.
John Cleese criticized the’stifling effect’ of political correctness and creativity in 2020. He said that there was no such thing as “woke humor”.
In recent years, a number of Pythons voiced anti-woke criticisms. John Cleese, 2020: He attacked the “stifling” effect of political correctness upon creativity.
According to him, Britain shouldn’t organize its society around the’sensibilities of most easily upset people’ because this would create a neurotic society.
According to Mr Cleese, affectionate teasing is a bonding method. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today that PC stuff began as a good idea.
“I think Jesus Christ would be a good person to agree… It is important to show kindness.
“But then that becomes a kind of indulgence for the most sensitive people in your culture. The people most easily upset.”
People took to Twitter to share their most witty jokes after Mr Cleese’s comments on Radio 4 Today.
Paul Dempsey tweeted: “An Englishman walks into a bar with an Irishman and an Englishman.”
“What a wonderful display of the Union’s centuries-long multiculturalism.”
“I don’t bend to any one’s requirements” Dave Chappelle states that he will meet with transgenders if they view the entire controversial Netflix Special
Dailymail.com by James Gordon
Dave Chappelle has pledged that he would not compromise on his beliefs or be subject to unreasonable demands.
Following jokes in the Netflix special, comedian Tom Hanks has been called out.
Chappelle caused controversy for his jokes, in which he claimed that ‘gender identity is a fact’ and made sexist remarks about the thin skin of trans people.
J K Rowling (Harry Potter author) had earlier observed that transgender women weren’t women, and they were a threat.
Chapelle opened up about the controversy for the first-time in this five-minute video posted on Instagram earlier this month.
Chapelle posted a 5-minute video, stating that she was open to meeting with transgender people, but not summoning her. I will not bend to any demands and I would be more than happy to meet with you if that is what you need, however, I do have conditions …’ Chappelle stated in an onstage segment.
“First, you must have watched the entire special. Thirdly, Hannah Gadsby must be admitted as funny.
“Am I cancelled or not?” Let’s get on with it! Chappelle’s screams are heard at the final seconds of the video.
The backlash by the LGBTQ community has come to Dave Chappelle, comedian, 48, and Netflix for comments he made in his latest special