Defending the controversial act, Madge's press agent says that omitting guns from 'Gang Bang' performance is like 'taking out the third act of 'Hamlet'.'
- Oct 20, 2012
AceShowbiz - Madonna upset concertgoers at her gig in Denver on Thursday night October 18 as she used fake guns during the show. The "Girl Gone Wild" singer fired fake shots in her opening number "Gang Bang", bringing back the memory of Aurora mass shooting during "The Dark Knight Rises" screening to some local people.
Local NBC affiliate 9News said it received several calls from concertgoers who were offended by the act. One concertgoer named Aaron Fransua told The Associated Press, "We're dancing, and all of a sudden people started realizing what the song was. We all just stood there. Everybody who was around me all had shock on their face. I heard a lot of 'wows'."
Peter Burns, a local radio sports personality, testified, "You could see people kinda looking at each other." He went on recalling, "I heard the word 'Colorado', you know, 'Aurora', 'shooting.' You could hear people talking about it, and it was little bit unsettling. I saw two or three people get up and grab their stuff and actually leave their seats."
Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg later defended the use of prop weapons, saying removing guns from "Gang Bang" would be "like taking out the third act of 'Hamlet'." She insisted, "Madonna does not make things pretty and tie them up with a bow."
Madge has used prop guns throughout her MDNA tour, which kicked off in late May. In August, she explained the use of guns on her shows. "My show...Is a journey. The journey of a soul from darkness to light. It is part cinematic musical theatre. Part spectacle and sometimes intimate performance art," she opened her long statement.
"It's true there is a lot of violence in the beginning of the show and sometimes the use of fake guns - but they are used as metaphors," the 54-year-old performer went on elaborating. "I do not condone violence or the use of guns. Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging."
"In my case its wanting to stop the lies and hypocrisy of the church, the intolerance of many narrow minded cultures and societies I have experienced throughout my life and in some cases the pain I have felt from having my heart broken."
The Material Girl will continue her tour until December this year. She, however, has just canceled her scheduled gig in Dallas on October 20 due to "severe laryngitis." According to a press release, "Under doctor's orders, the Material Girl has been put on 'complete vocal rest' for the next 36 hours."
"Madonna regrets any inconvenience to her fans," the statement added. All tickets for the show will be refunded at the point of purchase, while tickets purchased online will be refunded directly.
