Dame Maureen Lipman has disclosed that she experienced sleepless nights after two actors departed from the West End production of "Right Before I Go" due to her pro-Israel viewpoints. The actors, Gerard McCarthy and Iz Hesketh, withdrew from the play, citing that Dame Lipman's public comments on Israel and Palestine were incompatible with their own beliefs.
McCarthy, known for his roles in BBC dramas like "Call the Midwife" and "The Fall," had been set to reprise his part in the play when it transferred to London's Soho Theatre. He stated that he had privately raised his concerns before deciding to leave the production. Hesketh, a transgender actress, followed suit, expressing that she no longer felt the production aligned with her personal values and beliefs after becoming aware of Dame Lipman's public statements.
Dame Lipman, 80, considered stepping down herself to prevent the situation from becoming a distraction for the production. However, the play's director, Abigail Morris, persuaded her to remain involved. "The truth is all this has been keeping me awake at night. It is scary, horrible and unnecessary," Dame Lipman told The Times. "It had crossed my mind that it might be easier for everyone if I go and they all stay, but I had an email from Abigail Morris, who is the director, which was very sympathetic and understanding."
"Right Before I Go" addresses the sensitive topic of suicide, utilizing real suicide notes from various individuals, including celebrities, military veterans, teenagers, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Each performance includes a post-show discussion with cast members, audience, and a mental health professional. The play was conceived by writer Stan Zimmerman.
Dame Lipman is scheduled to appear in a performance on September 10, which coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day. Despite the controversy, she expressed pleasure in participating due to the importance of the issue of young people and suicide, calling it a vital topic for discussion.
A spokesperson for the production commented to The Times that the company understands its cast and collaborators hold diverse perspectives and respects the sincerity of their decisions. The spokesman added that cast members' political views are kept separate from artistic collaboration.
Dame Lipman has been a prominent British Jewish voice in support of Israel since the October 7 attacks and has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists. She has previously spoken of experiencing anti-Semitic abuse and threats, sometimes requiring private security during theatre tours. In May, pro-Palestinian campaigners targeted performances of her comedy "Allegra" in Aberdeen, distributing a poster that depicted her with devil horns and a pitchfork. Police Scotland examined the imagery but concluded it did not constitute a crime.
McCarthy subsequently faced scrutiny after liking comments on social media that contained anti-Semitic language and personal attacks directed at Dame Lipman. He later issued a statement clarifying that he does not endorse anti-Semitic language and regretted inadvertently appearing to do so. He stated that his likes were intended as acknowledgments of support for his decision to withdraw, not endorsements of the language used, and that he has since removed those likes. McCarthy reiterated that his decision was based on Dame Lipman's publicly expressed views on Israel and Palestine, not her Jewish identity, and that he is against anti-Semitism.