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Friday, 30 November, 2001, 09:31 GMT

Saucy show banned at erotic festival


Erotica 2001
Two thirds of tickets have been bought by women
A stage show at an erotic festival in London has been cut short after vice squad officers deemed one act too raunchy for the audience.

The act, featuring a ballerina in an erotic routine, was pulled after the local council, the hosts and police all agreed it could cause offence.

The Erotica festival is expected to attract 50,000 people between Friday and Sunday to Olympia, Earls Court.

It features hundreds of exhibitors including body artists, piercing experts, fetish fashion houses, hedonistic holiday companies and other adult businesses.

Too raunchy

Before the licence could be granted, vice squad officers from the Metropolitan Police had to ensure the acts were suitable for the public.

The opening show was deemed to raunchy and has now been hastily re-arranged.

An Erotica spokesman said: "We work very closely with authorities and we take our obligations to do with the licence very seriously.



We have helped the erotica industry well and truly shake off its dirty mac image
Savvas Christodoulou, organiser

"We would not wish to offend anyone or breach the law."

The festival is now in its sixth year and is described by organisers as an "annual celebration of love and all that's erotic".

Savvas Christodoulou, 50, the man behind the show, said: "We have been planning this event for many months and interest from all quarters has been intense.

"Whether you are into haute couture or hard core - you will be able to find it at Erotica."

He said women have taken the lead by buying two thirds of the 40,000 plus tickets already purchased.

Mr Christodoulou, a former accountant with rock band Pink Floyd, said: "We have helped the erotica industry well and truly shake off its 'dirty mac' image."

On sale at the show will be art, toys, natural health products and videos.

There will also be a number of stage shows and entertainers performing throughout the three day.


Related to this story:
Cashing in on porn boom (05 Jul 01 | Business) Cardiff sex fair refused licence (06 Oct 00 | Wales) Porn brokers go public (07 Jun 99 | The Company File) Valentine e-rotica (12 Feb 99 | UK)


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