Police after Baby Reindeer trolls
Police after Baby Reindeer trolls
Plus: Who is behind the JQ scam tour?
Good morning Patchers — welcome to your Thursday briefing.
Police are investigating the online abuse of The Rep’s Artistic Director who found himself the target of trolls who were convinced he is the real life sexual harasser depicted in a hit Netflix show. Elsewhere, police also think the fire that swamped a former school in Balsall Heath could have been deliberately started.
There’s also coverage of an exhibition on the myths and mysteries surrounding the women in Shakespeare’s life, plus the annual zine fair gets underway and you’ve still got time to catch Bear Grylls this weekend, if you’re quick.
Brum in brief
🚨False allegations: Sean Foley, the outgoing Artistic Director of The Rep theatre, has contacted police after facing false allegations of being a sexual abuser. Online trolls targeted the dramatist who they wrongly believe is the real life inspiration for the villain in hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer, which is based on the experiences of writer Richard Gadd. In the show, Gadd’s character is groomed and sexually assaulted by a TV comedy writer named Darrien. Police are now investigating the abusive, false allegations which Gadd addressed on Instagram on Monday, saying: “People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly getting caught up in speculation.”
🔥Suspicious blaze: Two boys aged 16 have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to danger life. West Midlands Police said on Tuesday that a fire at a disused former school “may have been started deliberately” and are asking anyone with information to get in touch. The blaze broke out at the Victorian building on Clifton Road in Balsall Heath on Monday. 30 firefighters attended the scene shortly before 2pm and managed to extinguish the flames which are believed not to have caused any injuries.
🤑Guided grift: The Coffin Works museum has confirmed that a £342.99 guided tour of the Jewellery Quarter (that we commented on yesterday) is a scam. The tour is advertised on GetYourGuide.com and is still live at the time of writing. Don’t fall for it!
🎭Myths and Mysteries: The women who influenced Shakespeare are being remembered in an exhibition currently open in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Five, often overlooked, women — his mother, wife and daughters — are the focus of this project that looks to redress some myths that have taken hold about the family. These include that the bard did not love Anne Hathaway (famously he left her his second-best bed in his will) and that his youngest daughter, Judith, was illiterate. ITV has more here.
📚Keen for zines? Birmingham Zine Fest kicks off for the seventh year running on Saturday at The Hive in the Jewellery Quarter. Join other creators and collectors to share practices and discover new DIY creations. Tickets are free and it’s on from 11-7.
⛰️Feel the fear: There are a few tickets left for adventurer Bear Grylls’ Never Give Up show at the Symphony Hall on Saturday (for those who don’t mind going alone or sitting apart from friends). The globe trotter will captivate audiences with hair-raising stories of survival. Tickets from £39.
🎞️Community flick: Stirchley Open Cinema is showing the Oscar winning Korean film Parasite tomorrow night at 7pm at Stirchley Baths. Tickets are £6 for this volunteer-run community screening.
Thanks for the heads up about the new exhibition at New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon about the women in Shakespeare's life. The short ITV film in the link was quite informative.