Cheltenham pantomime removes song after vegan backlash

Mother Goose is on show at the Everyman Theatre until 7 January

A pantomime has come under fire for a song saying vegans are "annoying, anaemic, and gassy".

Following a backlash, the musical number has been axed from Mother Goose at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham.

The controversy surrounds a song which says the "g" in the word vegan stands for gassy and the "a for anaemic or annoying".

A spokesperson from the theatre said: "We respect all of our audiences' views and comments".

The star of the show, Gloucestershire's Tweedy the Clown, is cast as Mother Goose alongside a cast of experience pantomime actors.

Gloucestershire Live reported that some people from the crowd complained about the song on social media, and a girl who is vegan, said people at school had started singing the "vegan panto" song to her.

Tolmeia Gregory said it is important to respect everyone's views

Tolmeia Gregory, a climate activist and vegan, said: "I do think when you have a platform, it's important to be respectful of everyone's views. I think it's a great thing they've changed it and taken it to heart."

Nurse Anne Jeffery said the theatre should have put more thought into the lyrics

Anne Jeffery, a retired nurse told the BBC: "I'm not vegan, but I like vegan food. Maybe a bit more thought could have gone into it."

In a statement the Everyman Theatre said that Mother Goose is a live production, which is constantly being refined and improved.

"The creative team behind this year's production continuously evaluates all aspects of the performance in order to create the best, most entertaining experience for the audience possible.

"Pantomime is a uniquely collaborative art form where the audience is very much a part of the show and we respect all of our audiences' views and comments.

"The relationship between our amazingly talented cast and the audience is what makes pantomime special and makes each and every performance a singular live event."

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