December 19, 2004

Theatre defends actions over play

BRITAIN
BBC News

The theatre at the centre of a major demonstration says it did all it could to prevent any outbreak of trouble.

Hundred of Sikhs protested outside the Birmingham Repertory Theatre against a play - Behzti (Dishonour) - depicting sex abuse and murder in a temple.

In a statement, the theatre said short of "blatant censorship" and cancelling the production, it could not have done more to appease the Sikh community.

Five police officers were hurt during struggles at the theatre on Saturday. ...

Mohan Singh, a local Sikh community leader, said: "When they're doing a play about a Sikh priest raping somebody inside a gurdwara, would any religion take it?"


Posted by kshaw at December 19, 2004 08:38 AM