When it comes stand-up comedy, recent terror attacks are definitely not something to base your material on.
Yet, according to a report in The Mirror, a comedian made jokes about ISIS and the Brussels bombing at a comedy club in Nottingham at an event on March 25.
Roger Monkhouse was the last act to perform at The Best in Live Stand-up Comedy event at Nottingham’s Glee Club but after five minutes, he was challenged by a heckler following a joke made about ISIS.
According to the same report, onlookers claim the disagreement sparked a mass fight with as many as 30 audience members said to be involved.
Monkhouse, who is also said to have made a joke about Jimmy Savile, attempted to defend his act but left the stage when he was booed by members of the audience.
Alternatively, general manager Bradley Seagrave told the Mirror that the “fight” happened after the event and was over in a matter of seconds.
“What may have looked like a mass brawl to an onlooker was in fact members of security and other members of the couple’s respective parties trying to cool things down and separate them.”
Seagrave also appeared to defend the controversial material.
“Our audiences are largely a switched-on educated lot who come to us for more than dated jokes.
“We’ve never had a fight here before so it made for a rather disappointing end to a brilliant night with a lovely crowd.
“Some of the material our comics talk about will always be contentious and we encourage that.
“This is live stand-up not tempered TV comedy so I’m afraid it’s not all ‘garlic bread’.
“That’s the job of good comedy. To make you laugh, make you think and serve as a reflection and social commentary of our times.
“Mocking ISIS and Jimmy Savile are almost compulsory in comedy now and we make no apology for being cutting edge and contemporary.”
