Northern Irish actor Gerard McCarthy has pulled out of the suicide awareness play Right Before I Go at London’s Soho Theatre, after Dame Maureen Lipman was announced as joining the cast for its World Suicide Prevention Day performance on September 10.
Mr McCarthy, best known for his role in BBC dramas The Fall and Call the Midwife, had been part of the production during its Edinburgh Festival Fringe run and was set to return for the London dates.
However, he said Ms Lipman’s repeatedly stated positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict made it impossible for him to remain.
In a public statement issued over the weekend, the actor said he had privately raised his concerns before ultimately deciding to step away from the show entirely, describing the situation as regrettable but necessary.
Maureen Lipman has been a vocal supporter of Israel
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PAMr McCarthy’s full statement read: “A little update regarding Right Before I Go. I was due to return to the production for its performance at Soho Theatre next Saturday. Yesterday morning, I made the decision to withdraw from that performance.
“As my name and photograph are currently still being used to advertise the show, I wanted to let anyone considering booking to see me that I will no longer be appearing.
“Following the announcement that Dame Maureen Lipman would be joining the company, I privately explained that, because of views she has publicly and repeatedly expressed regarding Israel and Palestine, I did not feel comfortable personally promoting her involvement.
“I did not ask for her casting to be reconsidered or expect anybody else to share my position. I simply chose not to use my own platform to promote someone whose political views are at odds with my own.
Gerard McCarthy will no longer star in the upcoming Right Before I Go shows
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“Unfortunately, a subsequent conversation with Stan Zimmerman made me feel that withdrawing from the performance was the right decision for me. It’s regrettable that my time at RBIG ends this way.
“I’ve loved my time in Edinburgh with Nathan, Sam, Zachary, Juliana, Claire-Marie, Emily, Wendy, Josh and Claire. But sometimes you have to be prepared to walk away from something when staying would mean compromising something that matters much more.”
Right Before I Go is the creation of American writer Mr Zimmerman, whose credits include Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls.
The production draws on genuine suicide notes left by public figures, military veterans, bullied young people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and attempt survivors to illuminate the devastating reach of suicide.
Mr Zimmerman has said the piece grew from his struggle to process a close friend’s death by suicide, and was conceived in the mould of The Vagina Monologues.
The play transferred to London following a well-received Edinburgh Fringe run and is scheduled at Soho Theatre from September 5-10, with each performance followed by a discussion between cast, audience and a mental health professional.
Announcing Ms Lipman’s involvement, Mr Zimmerman called the World Suicide Prevention Day date “an especially emotional performance.”
Ms Lipman has been a lightning rod for pro-Palestine campaigners throughout her recent theatrical engagements. During performances of the comedy Allegra in Aberdeen and Glasgow, protest groups picketed venues and circulated petitions calling for her appearances to be cancelled.
Maureen Lipman
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PAThe Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign posted an image depicting the Jewish actress with devil horns and a pitchfork, prompting a Police Scotland investigation into a potentially antisemitic social media post.
Ms Lipman has described left-wing actors’ protests against Israel as “very, very close to fascism” and called for pro-Palestine marches in central London to be banned.
She has also attacked fellow performers who signed open letters condemning Israeli military actions, labelling them “bigoted signaturists” and “bleeding heartless liberals.”
Following Mr McCarthy’s statement, a number of famous faces rallied behind his decision. Actors Dan Buckley and River Medway, as well as comedian Luisa Omielan, replied on Instagram with applause emojis.
Robin Ince was among the famous faces supporting McCarthy’s decision
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Meanwhile, actor and writer Robin Ince similarly penned: “Very impressed by the position you have taken – you will embolden others – solidarity.”
And RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Divina DeCampo weighed in: “This is the way to do it. Lipman and her stance on a lot of stuff has made me very sad.
“From the woman who was in one of the first sitcoms with a gay character as her son to the abhorrent views on pretty much everything is very sad. Solidarity x.”
Elsewhere, Star Wars: Andor actress Denise Gough also showed support as she penned: “Sending you much much love.” (sic)