Comedian Arj Barker has defended his decision to eject a woman and her “gurgling” infant during his live show, sparking a debate in Australia. Barker, who was performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, stated that his decision was not related to the woman’s status as a mother but rather the baby’s disruptive noises.
Barker explained that the baby’s gurgling, although described by the mother as minimal, was audible in the theater’s intimate setting. He emphasized that the timing and pauses in his jokes were being affected, impacting the audience’s enjoyment.
The woman, Trish Faranda, clarified that her baby Clara was not screaming but rather engaging in typical baby noises. However, some audience members have disputed this, claiming that the baby’s cries were significant enough to distract from the performance.
Barker maintained that his decision was made for the benefit of the audience, not himself. He highlighted that the show was designated as 15+ and that parents should be mindful of the potential for disturbances during live performances.
Faranda expressed disappointment in Barker’s decision, noting that she had come to enjoy his shows before having children and was seeking a night out. She also stated that she had begun breastfeeding Clara to soothe her when Barker asked her to leave.
Barker denied that the breastfeeding played a role in his decision and emphasized that he would have acted the same way if the baby had been held by the father. He stressed that his sole concern was the noise level, regardless of the baby’s gender or parental situation.
The incident has ignited a discussion on social media, with some supporting Barker’s decision and others criticizing it as unfair to a new mother. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has released a statement acknowledging that interactions between performers and audiences require sensitivity and respect, emphasizing that parents with infants should be mindful of potential disruptions and be prepared to leave if necessary.
