British comedian John Cleese has canceled his planned shows in Israel, with the local promoter blaming pressure from boycott, divest, and sanction (BDS) activists, and the 86-year-old Monty Python veteran claiming he was just postponing the shows “following advice about safety.”
Alon Yurik Productions issued a statement late Monday night saying, “We are deeply sorry that John Cleese succumbed to threats from BDS organizations, especially after all the tickets for his shows had been sold out for quite some time.”
However, Cleese on Monday posted his own version on Monday, writing on social media he had received advice to postpone the shows for his safety. “At 86, that is obviously all important.”
He added that “I will arrange these shows as soon as it is possible – and I would be happy to perform without receiving a fee. I am hugely fond of Israeli audiences and send my sincere apologies to all those who bought tickets.”
It’s unclear as to what safety issues Cleese was referring to, unless there are residents of the Old City’s Christian Quarter still upset about Life of Brian.
The announcement and counter-announcement came after the 86-year-old Cleese, best known for his groundbreaking comedic work with Monty Python and on Fawlty Towers, had increasingly posted on social media slamming Israel and the IDF.
All of the performances (November 26 in Jerusalem and November 27, 30, and December 1 in Tel Aviv) were to be moderated by local entertainer and comedian Tzivka Hadar.
Yurik didn’t respond to more queries about the abrupt cancellations/postponements, but according to veteran concert promoter Hillel Wachs of 2b Vibes, which has brought the Pixies, America, and Matisyahu, among others, to Israel, considerable costs had already gone into the production.
Concert, comedy cancellations in Israel due to public pressure
“Ten or 15 years ago, there were a number of cancellations like this, and Israeli promoters learned since then to put in safeguard provisions in the contract that unless the show is canceled due to force majeure, [acts beyond anyone’s control], then the artist will reimburse out-of-pocket expenses to the promoter,’ he said.
“That includes printing costs, advertising, marketing. So, at this stage of the game, if someone is going to cancel, he will think twice because there are financial ramifications for him.”
Wachs added that costs, such as deposits for the venue, sound, and lighting, will usually be credited to a future project if the promoter has ongoing relations with the vendors.
Another promoter, wishing to remain anonymous, analyzed the cancellation as based on fear by Cleese and his management that performing in Israel could jeopardize future bookings.
“Cleese is not super in demand or at the top of his career. If he’s still performing, it’s not for fun but because it’s his day job. He was probably scared of alienating other fans and having trouble down the road being invited to perform elsewhere if he did the shows in Israel,” the promoter said.
Whatever the financial losses from the Cleese fiasco, Yurik already has another high-profile show in the wings, when Hollywood star Kevin Spacey arrives in Israel next week for a show of song, dance, and talk in Tel Aviv.