Anti Springer protest in Norwich
Hear the Radio Norfolk Springer debate
Norwich’s Theatre Royal chief executive Peter Wilson has debated the staging of the controversial show Jerry Springer the Opera with Norwich Salvation Army commanding officer Major Ray Begley live on Radio Norfolk on March 17.
The hour-long live debate followed on from a meeting between Peter and prominent local anti-Springer campaigners on March 13 which also included local church leaders John Betts and Peter Barnes.
Now you can hear part of the debate that was live on Tony Mallion’s show by clicking on the following link.
Radio Norfolk Spring Debate
Ray said: “Peter Wilson was kind and very generous with his time. He listened carefully to what we had to say, and then responded. We stated that in York and Nottingham the show has been a disaster. With less than 30% of tickets sold. They could not even give them away. It is our hope that the Springer Tour will be pulled before it even reaches Norwich.”
Writing on the networknorwich website, Peter Wilson said: “It is plain that the Theatre Royal's mission to present the best and most representative of touring productions has caused great offence in this one instance.
“I would simply say it is unreasonable to judge our entire output by personal animosity to this one, heavily awarded, production, any more than it should be judged by any other single production over the last 250 years,” wrote Peter.
“I ask your readers to believe that we do take their views seriously even where we don't agree. It's important that people should be encouraged to express their opinions peacefully.”
The anti-Springer campaign, made up of people from several different churches and denominations, has already held several peaceful protests outside the theatre and they have produced a local leaflet to hand out to theatre-goers.
Gail Halley, a member of the campaign team, said: “At the heart of the campaign is a determination to do all we can to prevent the Lord's name from being degraded in this way, rather than being worried about Christians being offended. We would also stress that we have no intention of noisy demos, placarding or any form of aggression.”
Campaign organisers are also approaching church leaders to encourage prayer, signing a petition, writing to local councillors and joining in the leafleting at the theatre.
If anyone is keen to help with the campaign, petition or distributing leaflets, they are asked to contact Gail on hailgail@supanet.com or 01603 617598.
 Campaigners against the staging of the controversial show Jerry Springer the Opera at Norwich’s Theatre Royal will be stepping up their activities if the show opens as planned next week, from May 8 to 13.
The group, made up of people from several different churches and denominations, plans to meet outside the Theatre each evening for a peaceful protest and is asking people to support them on the night and in prayer.
Organiser Gail Halley said: “We are still praying that the show will not arrive in Norwich, but if it does we plan to meet each evening outside the Assembly House to hand out leaflets and take the opportunity for evangelistic outreach followed by a time of prayer-walking once people have gone into the theatre.”
On Tuesday 9, the Salvation Army will play outside the Theatre at the time that people are leaving the show at around 10pm.
On Saturday May 13 from 7.30pm there will be a gathering with praise and worship led by Stephen Green national organizer of Christian Voice, who has led protests against the show nationally.
“Please join us for all or any of these events if you possibly can,” said Gail. “We really want them to be well attended and be a further opportunity for the body of Christ in the area to come together in unity in praise of God and to take a stand against this show coming into our city.
“We really want to bless the people of Norwich and not enter into pointless arguments or be judgmental or self-righteous.”
On Monday May 8 both Ray Begley of the Salvation Army and John Betts of Transforming Norwich will be interviewed on Radio Norfolk about the show.
Gail is also asking supporters to pray for the following:
Please pray that God will turn this thing around and that His Name will be glorified.
Pray too for everyone involved in this production, particularly the cast, many of whom probably took the job without really having thought through what it was all about.
For the Theatre Royal staff - especially chief executive Peter Wilson - who have been extremely courteous throughout, but who nevertheless still plan to go ahead.
For all who attend – obviously we pray that there will be very few of them, as has been the case nationwide, but our prayer is that they will see beyond the slick presentation and clever production to something which we believe is sick, depraved and morally bankrupt.
That God will really touch people, and that those involved in leafleting and outreach will be both bold and sensitive and that God will give them words to speak to those they approach.
For God’s peace and protection over every gathering, especially the Saturday night
For Stephen Green, thanking God for his untiring courage and boldness, and praying that he will bring what is appropriate for us here in Norwich on Saturday evening; pray too for energy and protection for him and his family.
Pray for John Betts and Ray Begley on Radio Norfolk, and if there is any further media coverage that it will be glorifying to God and that He will give the words to anyone who is challenged/approached.
Stephen Green of Christian Voice will also be speaking on Sunday May 14 at The Christian Fellowship Norwich at New Hope Christian Centre from 10.15am.
Pictured above is a scene from the Jerry Springer The Opera show.
Theatre chief responds to Springer campaign
 Norwich’s Theatre Royal chief executive Peter Wilson has responded personally on the Network Norwich website to protests from local campaigners against the staging of the controversial show Jerry Springer the Opera.
“It is plain that the Theatre Royal's mission to present the best and most representative of touring productions has caused great offence in this one instance,” writes Peter.
“I would simply say it is unreasonable to judge our entire output by personal animosity to this one, heavily awarded, production, any more than it should be judged by any other single production over the last 250 years,” writes Peter.
“I ask your readers to believe that we do take their views seriously even where we don't agree.
“I would also thank my many correspondents for, on the whole, expressing their views in a courteous and tolerant manner. Of course I regret that our decision risks alienating some of our most fervent supporters.”
“It's important that people should be encouraged to express their opinions peacefully, so when it is next proposed to leaflet the theatre please let me know so that we can provide a bit of cover in case of rain,” said Peter.
The anti-Springer campaign, made up of people from several different churches and denominations, has already held several peaceful protests outside the theatre and now they have produced a local leaflet to hand out to theatre-goers.
Gail Halley, a member of the campaign team, said: "It was felt very much that we needed to produce our own leaflets which were specific to Norwich, not too wordy and not aggressive.
“At the heart of the campaign is a determination to do all we can to prevent the Lord's name from being degraded in this way, rather than being worried about Christians being offended. We would also stress that we have no intention of noisy demos, placarding or any form of aggression.”
To read the full text of Peter Wilson’s personal message click here.
Anti-Springer protest is stepped up in city
Campaigners from a number of different Norwich churches have moved forward with their peaceful protest against the staging of the controversial show Jerry Springer the Opera at the city’s Theatre Royal. The group, made up of people from several different churches and denominations, has already held several peaceful protests outside the theatre and now they have produced a local leaflet to hand out to theatre-goers.
Gail Halley, a member of the campaign team, said: "It was felt very much that we needed to produce our own leaflets which were specific to Norwich, not too wordy and not aggressive.
“At the heart of the campaign is a determination to do all we can to prevent the Lord's name from being degraded in this way, rather than being worried about Christians being offended. We would also stress that we have no intention of noisy demos, placarding or any form of aggession.”
Campaign organisers are also approaching church leaders to encourage prayer, signing a petition, writing to local councillors and joining in the leafleting at the theatre.
If anyone is keen to help with the campaign, petition or distributing leaflets, they are asked to contact Gail on hailgail@supanet.com or 01603 617598.
Norwich anti-Springer petition is launched
Norwich Springer ProtestCampaigners from a number of different Norwich churches are stepping up their protests against the staging of the controversial show Jerry Springer the Opera at the city’s Theatre Royal.
The group, made up of people from several different churches and denominations, has already held one protest outside the theatre and another one is planned for December 30 at 7pm outside the Assembly Rooms in Norwich.
Now organisers have sent a prayer letter and petition to Norwich churches asking them for their support.
Organiser Gail Halley said: “We are asking people to pray that Peter Wilson, the chief executive of the Theatre Royal and the senior directors will re-think and decide not to go ahead with the staging of the production.
“We are also praying that Christians will unite across the whole area and by letter, personal contact and petitions, approach City councillors, the Theatre Royal management, MPs and leading public figures to express their abhorrence of this play.”
Organisers are also asking church members to collect signatures on a petition against the production being staged in Norwich.
John Betts, leader of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Norwich, and a member of the protest group said: “We believe that the foul language and blasphemy in this show is a step too far. JSTO would degrade our theatre and our city adding to the moral decline we are already battling against. It is time to stand up and be counted for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.
“There is a group of Christians in Norwich, all of whom feel affronted at the prospect of this show coming to our city. We feel that the name of the Lord cannot be allowed to be blasphemed in this way and we aim to stop JSTO coming to Norwich,” he said.
Peter Barnes, a former Police Superintendent based in Norwich and a 'Friend' of the Theatre Royal said: “I am appalled that one of the best provincial theatres in the country has reached into the gutter to fill its programme.
“The fact that the show has received accolades for certain parts of the production cannot justify constant and repeated use of expletives of the worst kind together with disgusting and blasphemous portrayal of God and the Son of God which, if used on the streets of Norwich, would undoubtedly lead to arrest and prosecution.”
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