The American stand-up comedian Louis C.K., who was implicated in sexual harassment at home in the United States, will perform in Kyiv for the first time this spring.
The shows will be held on May 15 at the Ukraina Palace concert hall in central Kyiv.
Louis C.K (Louis Szekely) is a renowned American comedian, actor, writer and filmmaker. He started his career in the 1990s, gaining fame with his debut comedy album “Live in Houston.” Later he wrote and starred in the acclaimed TV series “Louie,” a comedy-drama where he plays a divorced comedian largely based on himself.
The show won C.K. six Emmy awards, and he was once among the 50 best stand-up comics of all time, according to the U.S. magazine the Rolling Stone.
But it all took a cringe-inducing turn in 2017, when five female comics and writers accused him of forcing them to watch him masturbate.
C.K later admitted to the sexual harassment, his TV show was cancelled, and he stopped performing for nearly a year. The scandal was one of the most noteworthy events of #MeToo, a movement against sexual harassment and assault that swept the U.S. and many other countries starting in 2017. As a result of the movement, women leveled accusations of wrongdoing against countless male celebrities, business people and other prominent figures.
Despite the controversy surrounding C.K., most tickets for the comedian’s show in Kyiv sold out within hours after the show was announced on Feb. 4.
Tickets cost Hr 499-1,499 (about $20-60). Headphones for translation from English to Ukrainian or any other needed language will be available for an additional Hr 50.
Moreover, no phones, cameras or digital watches are allowed during the show. All devices will be placed in special “Yondr” cases to avoid audience members from recording the show, the organizers say.
According to Louis C.K’s official website, Ukraine is the first European country on his tour. After Kyiv, the comedian will also perform in Romania, Germany and Denmark.
