An Edinburgh Fringe venue admits it discriminated against Jewish comedian Philip Simon after cancelling his solo stand-up show for the 2025 festival. Simon had been scheduled to perform at The Banshee Labyrinth, and the venue later accepted that its decision amounted to unlawful discrimination.
Multiple outlets report that Morrison Bros Ltd, the company operating the venue, conceded liability shortly before a trial. According to the BBC, the show was cancelled after the venue assessed Simon’s social media. Other reports describe the cancellation as unlawful discrimination against a Jewish performer, and frame it as the outcome of a legal dispute.
While the outlets align on what happened and who was involved, they differ slightly in emphasis: some focus on the legal admission and liability, while others highlight the stated reason for the cancellation, including the venue’s review of social media. Together, the reporting indicates the dispute centers on the venue’s basis for cancelling Simon’s act and its later acknowledgment of discrimination.
