A COMPANY slammed for “trivialising disability” in a show where a model of the ‘Elephant Man’ Joseph Merrick would be dissected has now been accused of glorifying violence against women.

The controversial ‘Dinner and Dissection’ event that was due to be held in Gosforth later this month drew heavy criticism from Newcastle City Council and sparked a backlash from disability campaigners, with more than 12,000 people signing a petition opposing the “modern day freak show”.

Organisers ITAE Productions heavily rebranded the event after the council complained to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) about its online marketing, featuring circus imagery and the words “roll up, roll up”, which was subsequently found to be in breach of advertising codes.

But the Ouseburn-based firm is now under fire again after its second iteration of the event listed serial killers among famous names who “contributed to the advancement of human anatomy” and whose stories will be explored during the live dissection show, which also includes a two-course meal.

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Alongside the likes of Joseph Merrick and Charles Darwin, the list of “Victorian Greats” who “unlocked the secrets to the human body” includes notorious murderers Jack the Ripper and Burke and Hare.

City councillor John-Paul Stephenson said the latest promotion “glorifies violence against women, is disrespectful to the families of their victims, and plays down their atrocious crimes”.

Jack the Ripper killed at least five women in Victorian London and mutilated their bodies, while Burke and Hare murdered victims in Edinburgh and sold the corpses to anatomist Robert Knox for dissection.

ITAE CEO Samuel Piri said there were “no plans” to make further changes to the show in light of the council’s latest complaint.

Cllr Stephenson, the council’s cabinet member for public health and culture, said: “We are pleased that the ASA supported our complaint and that action has been taken to change the promotion of the event and remove discriminatory, sensationalist language that made light of serious conditions and disabilities.

“Put simply, the original proposal for this event fell short of the core values of our great city. Newcastle is an open and inclusive community, we want everyone to feel welcome, safe and included. The original Dinner and Dissection event used unacceptable discriminatory language that made life-threatening conditions seem trivial.

“The new event has a clearer focus on education and insights into the history of Victorian Medicine and the change in language shows that the complaints raised by the council and members of the community have been heard and acted upon.

“However, we still have concerns with some of the promotional materials.

"Referring to notorious serial killers such as Jack the Ripper and William Burke as ‘Victorian Greats’ is outdated, glorifies violence against women, is disrespectful to the families of their victims and plays down their atrocious crimes. I hope once again the organisers hear these concerns and take appropriate action to alter the language.”

The second iteration of Dinner and Dissection now has three nights scheduled on Tyneside in January, at the Village Hotel at the Cobalt Business Park, as part of a UK-wide tour.

Mr Piri said: “The changes were made to the event following consultation with focus groups and the tour has been expanded nationwide with some dates now sold out. We can confirm the ASA have contacted us and are satisfied with our material. 

“The show features a raft of historical figures who are considered to be greats in relation to their contribution to medical research as well as some who were more sinister. 

“We have no plans to further or adapt our show concept and are looking forward to bringing the Dinner & Dissection tour to over 15 cities nationwide in 2022.”

The company won investment from Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden on Dragons’ Den in 2018 and has held similar medical-themed shows in Newcastle over recent years, including a contagion-themed night in 2020 and ‘Murder Trial Live’.

 

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