Historic London theater faces discrimination investigation after banning Jewish events

The 3,000-capacity art deco theater was founded in 1933 by Maurice Cheepen, a Jewish immigrant from Nazi Germany.

By Jewish Breaking News

A leading Jewish council has called for an inquiry into the Troxy Theatre amid claims the East End venue has refused to host Jewish cultural and charity events.

According to the Jewish Community Council (JCC), multiple groups — including the Yachad Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Relief, and concert organizers for singers Yaakov Shwekey and Benny Friedman — had their event requests rejected by Troxy management.

“This form of blatant discrimination is unacceptable in modern Britain,” JCC director Rabbi Levi Schapiro wrote in a formal complaint to the EHRC.

“Jewish lives matter, and there must be no place for antisemitic exclusion in public venues or the cultural sector.”

The 3,000-capacity art deco theater was founded in 1933 by Maurice Cheepen, a Jewish immigrant from Nazi Germany, and historically hosted performers such as Helen Shapiro and Sir Cliff Richard.

Rabbi Schapiro said being denied access to such a landmark venue “robs our community of a much-loved cultural space.”

“The Troxy has become an openly antisemitic venue,” he wrote. “It’s quite clear what the aim is, and the Jewish community has had enough.”

However, Troxy management has denied the allegations, insisting its decisions are “never based on faith or race.”

“We do not operate under any discriminatory policies or viewpoints when hosting events organized by any faith group, including those within the Jewish community,” Managing Director Tom Sutton-Roberts tells the Telegraph.

“We remain firmly committed to being an inclusive venue and have hosted numerous Jewish community events over the years.”

As evidence of the theater’s “inclusivity”, Sutton-Roberts pointed to its record of hosting Jewish and LGBTQ+ events, including two recent “Buttmitzvah” queer Jewish club nights.

An EHRC spokesperson confirmed receipt of the complaint to the Telegraph, saying each discriminatory case would be “reviewed carefully” but has not commented on what disciplinary measures, if any, will be taken.