Rep cancels Behzti after violent protest

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre has cancelled the remaining performances of the play Behzti after a protest outside the theatre turned violent.

The theatre announced the decision on 20 December, two days after hundreds of protesters gathered outside the building on Broad Street on the Saturday evening. Some forced their way into the theatre, windows were broken and the audience had to be evacuated.

The play

Behzti, which means "dishonour" in Punjabi, was written by the British Sikh playwright Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. It is set in a gurdwara, a Sikh temple, and includes scenes of sexual abuse and violence.

Some members of Birmingham's Sikh community found the play deeply offensive, arguing that setting such scenes in a place of worship was an insult to their faith. Community leaders had held talks with the theatre before the play opened and asked for the setting to be changed, but the theatre and the playwright decided to go ahead.

The protest

A peaceful protest had been held outside the theatre on previous evenings, but on Saturday a small number of protesters turned to violence. Police officers were called to the scene, and several officers were injured. There were a number of arrests.

Members of the audience, including families who had come to see other shows at the theatre, were led to safety. Nobody was seriously hurt.

Why the play was cancelled

The Rep said it had cancelled the play because it could not guarantee the safety of its audiences, performers and staff. It said it had not taken the decision lightly, and remained committed to freedom of expression.

The playwright has been advised to stay away from her home because of threats made against her.

A national debate

The cancellation has sparked a fierce national debate about free speech and religious offence. Writers, actors and arts organisations have criticised the decision, saying that no group should be able to close down a play by threatening violence.

Others have said that the theatre should have been more sensitive to the concerns of the Sikh community, and that the play caused real hurt to many people.

Many Sikh leaders have condemned the violence, saying it did not represent the community, while continuing to object to the play's content.

A city of many faiths

Birmingham has one of the largest Sikh communities in Britain, and gurdwaras in areas such as Handsworth, Sparkbrook and along the Soho Road play a central role in community life.

The city prides itself on its diversity and on good relations between different faiths and communities. Leaders across the city are now working to calm tensions and make sure the controversy does not damage those relationships.

Police are continuing to investigate the violence, and further arrests are possible.