ADELAIDE, Australia, February 13, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The opposition to the Adelaide Fringe Festival show ‘Come Heckle Christ’ continued in Adelaide, South Australia this week ahead of the festival’s opening on February 14.
The National Civic Council (NCC), which spearheaded the online campaign against the show, presented their petition to Upper House Member of Parliament Dennis Hood, who agreed to accept the petition and hand it on to the Premier.
The petition, gathered online over a period of 10 days, contained 1,249 signatories. The dedicated Facebook page attracted nearly 2,000 ‘likes’ over the same period with posts being read by up to 8,000 Facebook users.
NCC State Officer Jerome Appleby said that the level of support and effort from everyone involved was gratifying. “It shows that many people in the community are offended by this blasphemous act and are willing to stand up for their beliefs.”
The show, ‘Come Heckle Christ’ by comedian Josh Ladgrove was advertised as an opportunity to heckle Jesus Christ, and to throw things at him. Ladgrove referred to the crucifixion of Christ as “everyone’s favourite fairytale” and made disparaging comments about priests and sexual abuse. This prompted the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson, to call for the show to be stopped and to urge South Australian Christians to get involved in expressing their displeasure.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, also minister for the arts, expressed his dislike for the show but has refused to act.
Part of the campaign against the show included supporters contacting the Fringe’s sponsors, the premier and local MPs.
“We’re continually hearing back from supporters telling us that they’ve contacted everyone we suggested,” said Appleby. “It’s rare to find such commitment on an issue from so many people; consequently, I expect that the Fringe and their sponsors will be reluctant to endorse such a show in future.”
At least one member of Parliament has written to the Fringe on behalf of constituents asking for the offensive show to be removed from the program.
Local city councils have also debated the issue with questions being asked in at least three metropolitan council chambers. The City of Marion passed a motion, with only one dissenting voice, that the mayor should write to the Fringe organizers expressing concern. The Port Adelaide / Enfield Council passed a unanimous motion that the council should write to the festival organizers condemning the show. Many city and regional councils have hosted parts of the Fringe festival program (though not Come Heckle Christ).
The NCC wants to encourage all South Australians to keep up their efforts, emailing to thank both councils for their efforts.
Whilst the show ‘Come Heckle Christ’ will proceed, other parts of the Fringe will not. After a record-breaking heatwave in Adelaide, a downpour of rain has put one of the Fringe's main attractions literally deep under water. The ‘Garden of Unearthly Delights’ has been flooded out. Additional forecasted heavy rains are set to disrupt the Fringe’s opening parade through the city streets.
Council contacts:
Mayor of the City of Marion: [email protected]
Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield: [email protected]