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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Gemma Ryder

Edinburgh Fringe comedian hits out at parent with crying baby 'derailing show'

An Edinburgh Fringe comedian has hit out a parent who "derailed" his show because they wouldn't leave with their baby who was constantly crying.

Matt Forde, known for his political satire, has split opinion after asking audiences not to bring babies to his show following the incident on Monday night.

The impressionist's Edinburgh show run 'Matt Forde: Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right' has been on the stage at Pleasance Courtyard every night since August 3.

Forde said many messages from people at last night's show complaining about the interruption.

On Tuesday he posted on his Twitter: "Someone brought their baby to my show last night. Sadly it derailed large parts of it because they wouldn't do the decent thing and just leave when it started crying.

"I get that it must be tough as a new parent but please, don't bring babies to adult shows. It's always a problem."

Matt Forde's 'Clowns to the right of me, Jokers to the right' is on stage at the Edinburgh Festival. (Handout)

He added: "I realise this sounds a bit whiny but it’s just to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

"It’s like someone’s phone continually ringing and them not turning it off. I’ve had so many messages from people who were there last night who were very polite about the fact it pissed them off."

For some, Forde's request was petty. One Twitter user replied: "No one is more conscious or panicked than the parent of the baby who is crying.

"I can guarantee you the parent/s of the child would have been devastated and embarrassed more than you can comprehend. I hope they haven’t seen this tweet. You don’t know what they are going through."

Sarah Raymundo added: "Good grief. Well if I ever planned to come to a show I certainly won't be any more! What an attitude to have as a parent of 2, I'd be feeling sorry for the parent of the crying baby - it's hard enough without this kind of attitude!"

However, others felt the parent was selfish and had ruined the show for others.

Andy Ross said: "When my kids were little if they started to kick-up in a restaurant I would take them outside to calm them down.

"Having kids brings responsibility, I’d certainly not have let them spoil a concert etc When older, learning how to behave in a public place is part of socialisation."

Another user said: "Many people making excuses for the parents, “put yourself in their shoes” etc. What about the hundreds of other people in the audience??

"They might have saved for the show, possibly even made arrangements to have their kids looked after. No one is forced to take a baby to a show."

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