Understandably, comedians and actors weren’t happy when Harvey Weinstein showed up to their actors' showcase on Wednesday night. As reported by various media, Weinstein was in attendance at Actors Hour, an invite-only event, at Downtime Bar in New York’s East Village. And after spotting him in the audience, comedians Kelly Bachman and Amber Rollo and actor Zoe Stuckless (who uses they/them pronouns) called out the producer.
‘There’s an elephant in the room,’ Bachman said, at the beginning of her set. ‘It’s more of a Freddy Krueger, actually. I didn’t realise I needed to bring my own Mace and rape whistle to Actors Hour.’
She continued: ‘Sorry, that killed at group therapy for rape survivors. I have been raped, surprisingly not by anyone here, and I’ve never been able to confront those guys, so just a general “Fuck you”.’ Subsequently, the comedian was booed by the audience, with one member even telling her to 'shut up'.
‘I was shocked to see him out, but not because I thought he would have shame, he is a sociopath and clearly has no shame, ' Amber Rollo later tweeted. 'I’m shocked because he was invited to an event put on by and for artists. Downtime Bar NYC, you might remember it as Mockingbird in LES, allowed this man to stay at this event put on by Actors Hour.'
Rollo explained how Weinstein ended up at the event, saying, 'Actors Hour and the woman who runs it Alexandra Laliberte apparently invited Harvey Weinstein. Not only was he invited he was supported. My friend and bad ass comedian @bellykachman was performing on the show and when she went after 'Freddy Krueger' SHE was booed and told to shut up.’
She said that she called Weinstein a ‘fucking monster and told him he should disappear’, adding: ‘His friend/body guard/goon/family member called me a cunt and I really really wanted to lunge over the table and strangle him. I restrained myself, now that I’m sober I no longer throw drinks or fists. There was a woman at the table with him who gently guided me out. I don’t know who she is but I hope she is ok.’
Famously, in October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker reported that dozens of women accused Weinstein of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse over a period of at least thirty years. Over 80 women in the industry have since accused Weinstein of harassment, rape or assault. Weinstein has denied 'any non-consensual sex'.
A representative for Weinstein said that he 'was out with friends enjoying the music and trying to find some solace in his life that has been turned upside down. This scene was uncalled for, downright rude and an example of how due process today is being squashed by the public, trying to take it away in the courtroom too.’