Osama Appears In Kids' Play

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Osama's Appearance In Pantomime Upsets Parents

A children's pantomime of Aladdin, staged in Auckland at the weekend, ended with the character of Osama bin Laden belting out a rendition of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York.

A Mt Eden parent who took his two pre-schoolers to the play at the Logan Campbell Centre on Saturday said he was appalled when "bin Laden" appeared at the end of the play - just as the wicked uncle Jafar was transported back to the cave by the genie.

Later the character signed books with "Love Osama", a reference to the al Qaeda terrorist leader who appeared in videotape which emerged at the weekend and electrified the United States presidential battle.

The parent who saw the Auckland pantomime has complained to Southern Stars Charitable Trust, the organisation which commissioned the play and donates the profits to Radio Lollipop.

The inclusion of "bin Laden" was callous, he said, a "calculated political statement".

"It was totally out of context and bizarre," said the parent. "I spoke to a few people afterwards and they couldn't believe it.

"I'm sure those who lost loved ones in New York, Bali and Madrid would agree."

AdvertisementAdvertisement"We had gone expecting a bit of escapism in the afternoon. It was meant to be real kids' stuff ... then Osama bin Laden started singing New York, New York. It was unbelievably offensive and inappropriate. There was just a stunned silence."

Director David Coddington said the item was intended as a spoof. Bin Laden was hiding in the same cave as the wicked uncle and no longer wanted to be a terrorist but a singer.

Mr Coddington said the bin Laden character had appeared in the production two years ago without complaint. That time he wanted to be Britney Spears.

"The play is aimed at kids but because parents are there too this was just an aside joke at the end that parents would catch on to. It would be over the children's heads."

Mr Coddington was surprised at the complaint and said the Sinatra song was not intended to have any relevance to September 11.

"It wasn't meant to be offensive. If I have caused anyone offence I apologise, I'm sorry that's happened. It was very much tongue in cheek."

A spokeswoman for Southern Stars Charitable Trust said she had received only one complaint about the play, which had raised $71,500 for Radio Lollipop, the in-house radio station at Starship Children's Hospital, KidzFirst at Middlemore and the Manukau Super Clinic.