In an exclusive new interview with Amnesty International Richard Herring describes how one of his first shows at Edinburgh Comedy Fringe festival shows was sabotaged by actor Keith Allen.

Herring – who first performed at Edinburgh as part of the Oxford Revue – describes how students’ stand up was being pummelled by other artists at that time. Recalling a specific incident during his second year of Edinburgh, Herring said: 

“Keith Allen came to the first night, moved a crash mat, punched a theatre manager and then left and then gave us a terrible review. Then when we went on TV to give our right to reply, he bullied us some more and nearly made me cry on television.

“So as a 20-year-old boy it was quite a humiliating and upsetting experience that nearly put me off comedy.”

In a new Amnesty comedy podcast,  Richard Herring – who is now at his 23rd Edinburgh Fringe – also talks about a new play called “I killed Rasputin”, which he’s written for this year’s Fringe.  

Speaking about the importance of basic human rights, Richard Herring said: 

“Human rights are the rights to say what you want, believe what you want, do what you want, without harming other people. We’ve got the right to live in a world where we’re protected by our governments. 

“I think it’s very important to have free speech to the extent that to whatever people believe they should be allowed to say it. They don’t have to agree with me. I will always go up against anyone who says that we can’t talk about it. Because if what you believe is true, then discuss it.  The minute you say there are rules to the conversation, that’s when the conversation breaks down.”

Discover more comedy podcasts and videos at www.amnesty.org.uk/comedy