Comedian Arj Barker is defending his decision to eject a mother who was breastfeeding her baby during his performance, even though the mom has called the experience "humiliating."
About ten other people reportedly stalked out in solidarity with the woman after "Flight of the Conchords" star and comedian complained on stage during an international comedy festival show in Melbourne, Australia, that the breastfeeding was "interrupting his rhythm and I should leave," mom Trish Faranda told The Age.
Faranda conceded that her seven-month-old baby girl, Clara, was giggling and gurgling during the show, and said she began to nurse her to quiet her.
She said some people seated near her urged her to stay after Barker asked her to leave — while others jeered her.
Barker said in an Instagram post Monday labeled "BabyGate" that Faranda's baby was not crying but "talking as they do" during his performance. "I made a few jokes about the baby not disrupting my show. They were well received, then [I] moved on," noted Barker.
But minutes later the baby "called out again," which "concerned" him, he wrote, because such audience distrations "greatly diminish" the "payoff" in a performance.
At that point, with 50 minutes still left of the show, Barker said he made a "difficult decision" and "calmly" informed the woman that the baby couldn't stay. He offered her a refund as she walked out.
Barker, who noted that he was not only thinking of himself but of the 700 people on the audience, pointed out the program clearly states the show is only for those 15 years old and older.
Barker also said the issue had nothing to do with the woman breastfeeding — he couldn't clearly see her in the darkened audience. He said he only objected because of the baby noise distraction.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival told Australia's ABC in a statement that it was Barker's call.
The festival typically allows "babes in arms" to attend performances, but asks that parents sit in the back so they can "easily leave if the baby gets noisy."
