“I set my boundaries. I don’t play for babies and I don’t play for dogs,” he said, before walking off stage. Many of the three hundred people in the sold-out hall thought the comedian was joking. The woman remained seated with her dog, supported by the audience. “Don’t leave,” several visitors shouted.
‘Just go away’
When Laureij appeared on stage again a little later, it became clear that he was serious. “You will get your money back. Just leave,” said the 42-year-old Rotterdam resident. The comedian was adamant yesterday about the visually impaired woman in a wheelchair. She tried to calmly explain to Laureij that she could not live without her guide dog, but he stuck to his objection and sent the audience into the foyer.
A significant portion of the visitors actually decided to go home. The rest stayed in the foyer, where theater management offered an apology and a free drink. Many visitors showed their solidarity with the woman with the dog. Theater employees emphasized that bringing an assistance dog into the theater is allowed.
Play anyway
There was great surprise when Laureij appeared in the doorway of the foyer after half an hour and called on the remaining audience to come inside so that he could perform his performance. “We will only come if you apologize to that lady,” was the response from the waiting audience.
Laureij then walked towards her and said that he has nothing against dogs, but feels very vulnerable. When he subsequently apologized and allowed the woman and dog to come along, the rest of the audience also decided to come back in.
‘Gift’
Before Laureij could start, the woman demanded the microphone. “I consider today a gift,” she said, standing in front of the podium. “I have experienced quite a lot of discrimination in my life. But I am happy that you as an audience have stood behind me.”
The comedian then performed the try-out of his new performance for two-thirds of the original audience. Laureij regularly fell silent during the performance and started crying at the end. The assistance dog didn’t make a sound all evening.
Laureij did not want to comment on the incident before the performance resumed. His management could not be reached for comment today.