Hundreds of fans evacuated

Hundreds of fans were evacuated from Paul Chowdhry’s gig last night following reports of a gas leak.

The comic has to cut short his gig at Leeds City Varieties after the fire alarm went off in the interval.

Chowdhry joked on Twitter that the sold-out gig was shut down due to ‘cancel culture’.

He said: ‘Absolutely gutted to announce my show was cancelled after the first half in Leeds. Cancel culture has gone too far.’

People were led from the building into the Briggate shopping street, and told to keep away from  the building because of reports that gas could be smelled n the venue’s cellar.

Chowdhry’s Family Friendly Comedian gig at the 430-capacity venue has been cursed with problems, having been repeatedly rescheduled because of Covid. He was originally due to play there on April 19 last year, which was then moved  to November 9 and finally to last night.

In a video posted from outside the theatre last night, the stand-up said: ‘ I'm here at Leeds City Varieties from my third rescheduled date.

‘Finally made it here. Did the first half. Show was banging. People were laughing. I come offstage, I get cancelled.

‘I get cancelled after the first half because my material is too controversial for these… oh no, there was a gas leak, it was nothing to do with the material.’

Then he speculated the scare was actually down to ‘some kind of anthrax, Russian novichok poisoning, The Taliban came for me. That's what happened. I guess that's what I want to say for publicity purposes.

‘But somebody poured diesel down the pipe to shut me down. You can't shut a man down innit?  Let's find out who really did this….’

Later he added: ’So it looks like it was some novichok poisoning from that Putin….  Russia is taking this too far. First, Ukraine now the Paul Chowdhry Family Friendly Comedian tour.  Too far. Putin,  I'm coming for you.’

So gutted for my Leeds @CityVarieties audience that my show was cancelled after the first half. Cancel culture has gone too far. I'll be back, the matrix can't stop us. pic.twitter.com/Zgj1yMJzLN

— Paul Chowdhry (@paulchowdhry) January 23, 2023

Leeds Heritage Theatres, which operates the venue, said: ‘Our staff reported a strong smell of gas or diesel coming from the cellars at City Varieties yesterday evening.

‘As the source of the smell could not be easily identified and to ensure the safety of our audience, performers and staff, we took the difficult decision to evacuate the building and cancel the performance.

‘Northern Gas Networks attended and supported our decision to evacuate. Following extensive investigations, Northern Gas Networks confirmed there was no leak and the building was safe at around 10pm.

‘We are of course always reluctant to cancel a performance, however safety remains paramount. All customers will be contacted today with their options and we are working to schedule a new date.’

Published: 24 Jan 2023