Photo: Panto Society
Student comedian ‘Red’ Redmond caused a stir at a recent charity fundraiser for the University of Manchester’s Panto Society by announcing his resignation from the show during his comedy set.
After a microphone failed to work at the event held at Baa Bar, Fallowfield, the comedian, real name Harry Redmond, told the crowd how unorganised the panto had been and that the show “wasn’t worth coming to see.”
Redmond went on to present his comedy act. However, the 80-strong audience at the Fallowfield pub were unamused, with one reportedly throwing a fairy’s wand in his direction, which hit him in the face. ‘Red’ then announced his resignation from the panto.
The top floor of the Fallowfield bar had been hired out by the society in order to raise money for the panto and the event featured comedy and a pub quiz.
Salford student Redmond was set to play a major part in Robin Hood, the society’s Christmas show, prior to the incident.
However, another local comedian, Jonny Addy, who was present at the event, has offered to fill Redmond’s boots as narrator.
Despite Red’s resignation and comments, second year student and Assistant Director of the production Emily Wenman was pleased with progress so far. “It’s aimed at students,” she said. “It’s got lots of dirty humour and student jokes, along with lots of local references.”
Redmond’s comments and behaviour may surprise loyal panto audience members. Manchester graduate James said: “I always used to enjoy the panto [when I was a student]. Even after I graduated and moved away, when my friends said they were going last year, I jumped straight on a train and travelled the required 300 miles.”
He added that it was: “Totally worth it.”
Speaking to Student Direct: Mancunion, Redmond said: “Basically I’d been asked last-minute to organise some of the comedians. I got them sorted, turned up and the person who’d sorted out the night didn’t have a microphone for us.
“Some of the comedians were already pissed off. They were taking it out on me. I went on stage, someone threw something at me so I quit.”
The panto takes place every year for Manchester RAG and all proceeds go to RAG charities. This year’s event at Baa Bar raised over £230, a figure that Wenman is very pleased with.
Robin Hood will take place on December 10, 11 and 12 in the Union’s Council Chambers. Tickets are available from the RAG office. All proceeds go to RAG charities.
November 30th, 2009 at 16:44
This story is totally twisted! I was there and when the mic failed Red carried on with his act – even though nobody could hear him – and the director of the show threw something in his face in a really rude and disrespectful way! As soon as that happened Red stopped his act and left! If I was red I would have knocked the guy out throwing something like that! Usual media bullsh*t!
November 30th, 2009 at 17:01
Red did not announce his resignation during his set. He walked off after being hit in the face(I’ve seen band members do much worse than just walking off..) and was encouraged and shouted back onto the stage by fellow comedians and many audience members to continue his set and a lot of the spectators were delighted by his routine.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:04
This is such a lie and total fabrication. Making out Red was in the wrong when he helped the organisers out by trying to not only organise other comedians but to also organise a substantial sized audience to come and see them. The fact that there was no microphone shows how badly organised it was to start, as anyone that has seen Red perform would know that he needs a microphone and a stand, and considering he’s supposed to be one of the “main” contributers to the panto that should have been sorted before, also as a paying member of the audience I would have expected microphones or audio to be set up so that the audience could actually hear the performers and this it’s a bit ridiculous that they weren’t. As for the “However, the 80-strong audience at the Fallowfield pub were unamused, with one reportedly throwing a fairy’s wand in his direction, which hit him in the face,” this is yet again another lie as Red was called back on stage to perform another song once he’d left surely proving that the audience clearly were amused and that the selfish childish kid that threw the wand at his face was indeed the unamusing one in this whole matter. When asked why the culprit threw the wand his answer was “he’s been bullying me for weeks,” which leads me to ask, if there was a problem within the panto of supposed “bullying” surely it should have been sorted out back stage, in private and not in front of the “80-strong” audience that were there. At the end of the day, Red tried to help the organisers and it was literally thrown back in his face, his decision to quit should have been accepted gratiously and maturely which it wasn’t which once again shows the childish attitude of the panto cast and crew involved. The other performers were good though, I was just disgusted with the way Red was treated.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:24
“His decision to quit should have been accepted gratiously and maturely”
Maybe so. But then quitting during the fundraiser is pretty childish in itself isn’t it? He hardly behaved graciously (note the spelling, Sophie) or maturely. Also this isn’t the first time something like this has happend, doesn’t Red Redmond have a bit of a reputation for throwing this kind of diva strop during his sets?
November 30th, 2009 at 18:01
I completely diasagree with Sophie, Mimi and Maz. You are talking absolute nonsense. Everything written in this article is absolutely true. And here’s why – from some-one who witnessed it all.
1) It is perfectly understandable to forget a microphone and a stand, and a PROFESSIONAL would have just gotten on with the gig without bitching and moaning like a CHILD.
2) The audience WERE ‘unamused’. His set was awful and he clearly didn’t do it for any other reason than publicity. The audience did not want him back on – the only people who cheered were his new friends from Salford University, who were extremely drunk and clearly do not know Red and his character as well as the rest of us. And also clearly don’t know what constitutes good comedy.
3) It was silly to throw a wand in his face, but again perfectly understandable. A number of individuals walked out because he was directly rude to them. He walked past one of these girls the next day and LAUGHED IN HER FACE. Decent human being? I don’t think so.
4) It was good of Red to bring in some comedians at the last minute, but the fundraiser would have gone fine – better, in fact – without the majority of them. Applause must go to Jonny Addy and Andrew, who both did superb jobs, but the rest were rude and insulting.
5) of course his decision to quit wasn’t taken ‘gratiously [sic, it's spelt GRACIOUSLY] and maturely’ because he quit, publicly, 3 weeks before the performance, leaving the Panto Society in the lurch. The only ‘childish attitude’ present that night was RED.
6) ‘ If I was red I would have knocked the guy out throwing something like that! Usual media bullsh*t!’ Hmm. More proof of that childish attitude, hey? Exactly what a PROFESSIONAL COMEDIAN should do, right? And again – this is the TRUTH. I was there, I saw it.
So grow up the lot of you. He quit, and Panto is better off without him. End of.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:04
Pointing out a spelling mistake isn’t exactly mature, since you (FactsAreSacred) yourself have just spelt something wrong. But this isn’t a personal debate or a spelling bee, everyone has their own opinions.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:14
I am an MMU student who went along to the fundraiser as my partner is on the same course as RED. I wanted to show my support for the charity and show support for an up and coming artist. I think the fact that RED organised other comedians to come along and perform was something only a dedicated person would do. He obviously wanted to make the night a success for the ’cause’ as well as his colleagues. I think no matter what the reason, it was absolutely out of order for the ‘director of the show’ to disrespect Red like that. The guy was in the middle of a performance and he didn’t have the correct equipment in the first place which must have been hard enough, and to then have someone throw something in his face, I don’t blame him for resigning. How would you feel? If you had put your own time to organise something like this and to then be ridiculed in front of your friends and colleagues, I think you would feel the same-very embarrassed and very upset. Even though I didn’t even meet Red properly that night, I really felt for him, I think he was brave and actually very mature to stay on stage and try to carry on with the show. The supposed director of the pantomime should really step forward and apologise to Red, as he was quite drunk that night which is probably the reason the ‘bullying’ issue was not dealt with before hand. I am not surprised that this article has twisted what went on that night, because in all fairness-the media is best at one thing – making stuff up! The person who wrote this article probably wasn’t even there that night and to say that Red caused a stir is wrong-that’s obviously your cup of tea Student Direct.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:20
Just to clarify-
TellTheTruth is Mr Redmond’s ex-girlfriend
November 30th, 2009 at 18:25
I do have to say-what an absolute joke! I cant believe how many lies people tell. Ok, so you have your opinions on RED, but to say WE were ‘EXTREMELY’ drunk is very very funny as I can recall everything that happened that night.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:27
thats interesting as she was sat right next to us and she also was sat on the same table as the guy who through the wand.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:28
Can we please remember the real reason why we were all there that night, to raise money for the pantomime, which you did, which is brilliant, and really all this article should be about.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:29
Says who? Don’t guess at what you don’t know.
‘Having the correct equipment’? It isn’t difficult to do a comedy set without a stand for a professional comedian. It was daft to throw the wand, but he was perfectly justified in doing so for Red’s awful behaviour.
He didn’t stay on the stage, he left and had to be coerced back by the compere. The article hasn’t twisted what was said, I was there and I saw what happened. Red did cause a stir – the slave auction that was meant to follow to raise money for charity didn’t happen because Red very much killed the mood.
Just give up trying to defend this nonsense. Any sensible person can see that it was a stupid thing for him to do.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:43
apparently we’re condoning violence now. i’d expect more from manchester uni students.
November 30th, 2009 at 18:44
“Just give up trying to defend this nonsense. Any sensible person can see that it was a stupid thing for him to do.”
The nonsense here is that “Mr Redmond’s Ex-Girlfriend” is attempting to turn a discussion about a newspaper article into a personal issue. “So grow up the lot of you”? One should not throw stones in a glass house.
WE LOVE YOU RED!
November 30th, 2009 at 19:34
I must thank you all. This has been the most hilarious five minutes read of my life
I think its fair to say that the article didnt portray events exacly how they occured that evening, but then the people who were there havent got their facts straight either. The fact of the matter is that both sides have their points (I am remaining impartial if thats possible) and that the panto this year is going to be awesome and tremendously funny.
Advertisements all round, money goes to charity, everyone is a winner.
Loves to all.
November 30th, 2009 at 19:41
Please stop this guys.
I know for a fact that a lot of you contributing to the comments here are members of the panto society. This is a public forum which our potential audience members can see. By embarking in this “he said she said” you may be giving the panto a bad reputation. This was an unfortunate incident and I do not think that anyone can possibly say they are fully in the right here. However, what has happened, has happened and there is nothing we can do about it now.
Please could all panto members refrain from commenting on this board from now on. Thanks
November 30th, 2009 at 19:59
In an attempt to promote peace and maturity, and get this article back on track, I’m going to attempt to write a fair-handed account of events. It is somewhat notable that pro-Red consists of a group of his friends, and anti-Red seems to be a one-woman crusade by the ex-girlfriend. Smells a little of bias on both sides, eh?
Firstly, let’s not lose sight of the fact that this was a charity fundraiser (well a fundraiser for a panto from which the profits will go to charity). This was set up to be a most enjoyable night and indeed raised £230. As such, Emily Wenman, Alex Hewitt, and indeed others including Red deserve credit for helping that to happen.
Secondly, it would be unfair to hold Red wholly responsible for the mood turning sour on the night. Indeed the mood had started to turn during the first comedian’s act who, in spite of this being for charity, made an uncalled-for comment about Quiz host Gaz Morris, who should also be applauded for his efforts on the night.
Now we come to Mr Redmond’s act. Should certain things/comments be expected from comedians? Yes. Was it the right time or place to comment on perceived failures of those involved in the panto? No. Let’s face it – it was attention-seeking and, quite frankly, an immature move. If he had those concerns, Red should have approached those involved at another time. However, does it warrant having a wand thrown? No. That was an equally immature response. One can understand the frustration felt by members of the panto in regards to Red’s introduction, but again it would have been appropriate to approach him about them after the show. Again we must be remeinded this was for charity. It is completely understandable Red leaving the stage at that point. However, considering the bad blood was now flowing, it would have been wise to leave it there. Red returning to announce his resignation from the panto was the third immature act in a matter of minutes. There was no need and again this should have been dealt with after the show – if not out of obligation, then human decency.
Should there have been a microphone there that night? Yes. Should it have mattered? No. Red should not be blamed for everything that went wrong that night, and indeed it should be remembered that he helped to organise a successful event. Did he start a fire and fan the flames though? Yes. And he is not alone in that fault – there were many points during that show where either Red or those he was antagonising should have taken the opportunity to walk away.
Let me end in a similar fashion to how I started. This was a FUNDRAISER for a CHARITY PANTO. Unfortunately it seems that this has been forgotten because of the events of that night. Please people, buy tickets and have a great night. It’s for a good cause, and it would be harder to find a smuttier event in Manchester. Meanwhile, I apologise if it any point I am perceived to havde been patronising or unfair to eoither side.
November 30th, 2009 at 22:29
Couldnt agree more with “Even Minded”. Fair and mature. Im guessing that a) you were there and b) you are a member of the panto but i cant for the life of me work out which as you seem to be both wise and mature and by our very nature, us pantonians are a childish bunch
I definately agree with what you said though and must further stress how great this show is turning out to be. Definately worth a £3 ticket and I certainly hope that Red can put asside his differences with Panto members and come and enjoy it.
I also here that the quality of writing of the script is second to none! I dont know who the writers are but should certainly be praised for their astounding skill and grammatical wizardry.
November 30th, 2009 at 22:33
Millions of people die every day, humanity is destroying itself and the earth, and we can’t even keep our own economy intact. And yet, you’re all getting your bloody pressure up about a skinny ginger lad leaving a charity pantomime because someone threw a wand in his face… can we all gain a bit of perspective here, please?
November 30th, 2009 at 22:36
Wow, i didn’t know that many people cared.
I will be attending the Panto this year. A lot of controversy on this story, i never wanted this to become a personal matter. I hope people come and enjoy the Pantomime this year!
November 30th, 2009 at 23:48
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
best 10 mins of my life! Will see panto just to find out if you survived without this ‘red’ character!
You do sound like a funny bunch! shame you forget how public this article is!
Shame on manchester university! publicity at an all time LOW!