Hexagon audience finds goldfish act hard to swallow

Sarah Stead • Published 26 Feb 2009 08:00 0 Comments

THE HEXAGON has been slammed for booking a comedian who swallowed a live goldfish and regurgitated it live on stage.

Comedian Stevie Starr, the self-styled Professional Regurgitator, appeared alongside stand-up stars including TV's Omid Djalili, during the Big Big Comedy Bash in aid of the Children in Touch charity on Sunday, February 15.

But theatregoers were shocked when Starr first swallowed, and then spat out, a live goldfish during his set, leading to animal rights groups and local pet shops claiming the veteran comedian should never have been allowed on stage.

Scotsman Starr, a regular guest of American chatshow host David Letterman, is reputed to be the only person in the world capable of swallowing a variety of objects including coins, snooker balls and even light bulbs and regurgitating them to order.

Audience member Cindy Edwards, from Bracknell, said: "My husband and I were sickened by his performance. We don't consider any form of animal abuse to be entertainment and judging by the response, other members of the audience felt likewise and I have complained to the Hexagon.

"He had an appalling cavalier attitude, saying ‘they're only fish' and asked the audience if they wanted a fish regurgitated whole or in half. But fish are sensitive, delicate, and feel pain the same as people."

RSPCA spokeswoman Julie Knight said: "We haven't seen his act but we would be saddened if a comedian had seemingly resorted to such a stunt where there's the potential for suffering or distress to an animal in the name of entertainment."

Dave Warren, owner of Allsorts of Pets in Burghfield Common, said: "I wouldn't sell an animal to him or anyone else if I thought they would harm or endanger it.

"It certainly doesn't sound like entertainment to me and I don't know why The Hexagon would consider booking him - surely swallowing and regurgitating a block full of nails would be far more daring than a helpless goldfish."

Dan Harris, general manager of Arts & Theatres Reading, which runs the Hexagon, said: "We understand Mr Starr had previously been investigated by the RSPCA and Ofcom after his act was screened on ITV, and on both counts the organisations found no evidence of cruelty and none of the complaints were upheld.

"Given this, we were satisfied that his act was not in breach of any guidelines or unnecessarily cruel and therefore suitable within the context of the overall performance, but we are sorry for any distress was caused."

Brett Malley from Mr Starr's management company said the fish were real and were cared for by Starr at his home.

He added: "Stevie has been doing this for 20 years and in that time we've received few complaints. Everything is advertised before the show so the audience are well aware about what the show holds before they go in."

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 26 Feb 09

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