Karaoke Forums

A SINGER with Down’s Syndrome was turned away from a karaoke night at a Northampton pub, after being told he was not good enough to perform.

James Smyth, aged 23, currently lives in Ryan QC Homes supported accommodation in Cherry Lodge, Northampton.

Over the past six months the Beatles fan has become a regular at Friday evening karaoke sessions at The Abington pub, performing Fab Four hits such as Hey Jude and Yellow Submarine.

But this week he was asked not to sing by organisers, who claimed he was not good enough.

Alex Duggan, Ryan Homes manager, said: “Our residents have been going to the karaoke for well over six months now, one of them for over a year.

“They meet friends who also have learning disabilities, and have dinner together at the pub and drinks throughout the evening.

“On Friday, the DJ who does the karaoke handed out song books to all the tables in the pub, but for some reason he didn’t hand any to the table our residents were sitting at.

“A member of our staff who was there thought this was a little strange as he normally gives us a book straight away.

“After a few minutes the DJ came over and informed my member of staff he was not allowed to let the residents sing on the karaoke.

“He didn’t give a reason, he just said he is told what to do and the owner pays his wages at the end of the day.”

Mr Duggan said the pub’s actions had come as a complete shock.

He said: “I know most of the people in the pub welcomed the residents with open arms each week, and they really have all got on very well.

“It has always been a busy night on a Friday for the karaoke and our residents being there didn’t seem to affect the numbers whatsoever.

“The residents would only sing one or two songs each week depending on how busy the pub was, and they were in no way ‘taking over’.

“I feel it is a great shame vulnerable people in our society can be treated in this way.”

Neil Bartholomey, owner of the pub and chairman of Northampton Pubwatch, said it had not been his decision to ask James not to sing, but that it had been taken by the person running the karaoke.

He said he had been “upset” by the whole issue, which he felt had been “blown out of proportion”.

He said: “James was asked not to sing purely on his ability in that he physically doesn’t sing. He just shouts words. There is no tune whatsoever.

“We do our utmost to make sure everyone has a fair crack of the whip and enjoys an evening, and we are trying to find that balance,”

Mr Bartholomey said he was not aware of any complaints being made against James’s singing, but said he believed people had left the pub on occasions because of it.

He said the pub was always welcoming to people with learning disabilities, and claimed the issue with James’s singing had been mentioned to his carers in the past.

He said: “If he came in and sang one song nobody would worry but sometimes these guys just want to come in and dominate the night.

“The karaoke is open to everyone but everybody who sings really badly gets one opportunity, not half a dozen.”

The statement from The Abington in full.

‘There is an element of talent in karaoke required to be entertaining for the enjoyment of all.

There are no physical reasons as to why any person cannot sing. However the definition of singing is to have a verbal skill. It is not to shout words down a microphone and for that to be called singing.

Anyone that cannot sing in the broad sense of the word can be asked to desist if the noise created would not be classed as singing.

The Abington is happy for all people of all abilities to have a go at singing. Should that audition prove to have a negative impact on the majority, they do not have an automatic right to inflict hurt and suffering on fellow customers.

The Abington embraces equality and wherever possible tries to ensure all people of all abilities finds enjoyment within the community. Until recently a member of staff who had Downs Syndrome, worked at The Abington every Friday. It was a sad day when he had to retire from us due to his forgetfulness and his ability to be in a safe environment.

James and his friends are more than welcome at the Abington and I spoke to James and he said thank you to me for having him. It was a shame that his carers decided to take him out of the pub as I think James would have preferred to stay. At no time was James or his friends asked to leave. James is a pleasant well presented lad, unfortunately he just can’t sing.

The Abington has a very robust equality policy and strives to ensure the experience for all its customers is of equal opportunity. We want people to return with friends, not depart and not come back due to a bad experience for what ever reason.

We hope James and his friends will come back and enjoy the best possible atmosphere created by staff and customers alike. With some help James may be able to improve his vocal skill and we would welcome his audition once more in the future.