Audience walk-out at 'offensive' rapper
THE 11th Unfringed Festival kicked off in the city last night on a controversial note as the 'choice' lyrics of Limerick's rap artists proved too much for some members of the audience to handle – a significant number of whom walked out.
One audience member, who did not wish to be named, told the Limerick Leader that the material was "offensive and immature".
Joanne Beirne, festival director, told the Leader that "some of the content was deeply offensive and the Belltable and I would like to unreservedly apologise to those audience members who were offended by the piece."
She added: "As with any other performance we do not vet or exercise editorial control on what goes on stage. We were unaware of the content of the performance until it aired."
MCs 'Nailerz' and 'Pobs' did their best to shock the audience. A particularly menacing looking Nailerz lyrically documented several feud-related incidents that have taken place in Limerick, as well as documenting his own brushes with the law and reserved much of his vitriol for crime journalist Paul Williams who he claimed "put a picture of my three-month-old daughter into his book". Naillerz subsequently claimed that he is to sue Mr Williams.
Of particular distaste to the audience and seemingly beyond the bounds of fringe theatre for many, was a young man who referred to himself as 'MC Pobs' and who caused more people to leave the theatre with his explicit lyrics which referred to aspects of the female anatomy.
One audience member who walked out said the material was "offensive and immature. It was vulgar and degrading to all human life."
The rap artists took to the stage as guests of local folk acoustic guitar players Eoin and Mike 'Silleabhin, sons of famous composer Michael Silleabhin, and double bass player Dave Duffy, collectively known under the moniker of 'size2shoes'.
The Unfringed Festival aims to present new work that is "experimental and innovative". The controversial show was preceded by one of the UK's most interesting comic poets, John Hegley, who thrilled the crowd with an eclectic blend of observational humour.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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