Russell Brand has decided to cancel an upcoming stand-up show to the Middle East, I guess over “safety concerns”. What concerns exist now that didn’t when he first booked the thing is beyond me, but whatever. He was planning to head to Lebanon and Abu Dhabi in August, which is sort of hilarious because I can’t see his humour translating to their audience – especially since much of it doesn’t even translate in the Western world.
From BBC Radio 5:
“Those gigs have been banned, pulled because of threats from extremists that if I went there, there would be problems.
“The venue contacted us and said we can no longer guarantee your safety.”
Well, can’t argue with that. However, the ‘Messiah Complex’ tour will continue around the world and will end in Reykjavik, Iceland in December, so here’s still a chance for you to see Russell live, if that’s your bag. Admittedly, I watched him on Question Time last night and the man knows how to speak. I hate myself for saying that, but it’s true.