Controversy surrounding Katie Hopkins performance at Stamford Corn Exchange

There has been backlash from the local community as a Stamford-based venue, Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, have announced an upcoming performance from Katie Hopkins, columnist, former business woman and far-right political commentator.

One local man, Mr Singh, vented on social media: "Disappointing to see them [Stamford Corn Exchange] playing host to Katie Hopkins next May in her one [...] woman show."

On top of this, a local group, headed up by Bret Allibone, have started a petition to cancel the show, saying in an open letter to the theatre: "Dear Stamford Corn Exchange,

"We ask that you remove the booking of Katie Hopkins from your programme.

"We do not believe that hate speech should be encouraged and profited from."

However, the venue are standing by their decision, adding that they would have to "consider closing their doors for good" if they had to cancel every show that some may find offensive or objectionable.

The team at the Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre responded: "We are a receiving house theatre, and we are wholly self-funding charity. As such we must put on a wide variety of shows that appeal to as wide a demographic as possible; this inevitably means that we will host some performances that some people take exception to. Where this is the case, we can only hope that people understand that not all shows can appeal to all people, and while a specific show may be objectionable to you another show, that you may wish to see, could be objectionable to someone else.

"The Katie Hopkins performance is, in essence, a comedy performance; comedy, like almost all performance art, is highly subjective. This performance is titled "Live. Laugh. Love" and will focus on her recovery from a life threating illness, her TV career, and her charity work. What one person finds funny another might not, and some may even find it objectionable. We have many shows a year that some of our patrons may regard as controversial, such as Burlesque Shows, Forbidden Nights, Stand up comedians, political satirist, Psychic Mediums, Adult Pantomime etc.

"Our booking of Katie Hopkins has proven to be controversial. Some people have expressed concern dismay and outrage, that we, as an independent theatre, have chosen to host such a performance.

"However, were we to refuse to book a performance on the grounds that someone, somewhere might find the contents of that performance objectionable then we would likely have to consider closing the doors for good. If a performance falls within the remit of the licenses we hold, and – of course – within the law, we feel there would have to be extremely extenuating circumstances to warrant the cancellation of a show.

"The team at the theatre concluded: "Our booking of Katie Hopkins has proven to be controversial. Some people have expressed concern dismay and outrage, that we, as an independent theatre, have chosen to host such a performance.

"Different shows appeal to a wide range of people and we strive to find a production for everyone. We pride ourselves in being inclusive and offer diversity across our programme.

'We of course listen to our patrons, and we will forward all comments to the management company that is putting on this performance. They hire our space, and we work closely with them with feedback running up to They have reiterated this to us this morning; "The show is pure comedy and nothing about her opinions or hate speech at all, just comedy, and she says so herself".

Following the announcement that this show would be taking place, 'Katie Hopkins: Live' has sold well this weekend, topping the leaderboard as the best selling show this weekend, alongside the Christmas pantomime Cinderella.