Controversial French comedian Dieudonné sells out Montreal shows

Controversial French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, who performs under the name Dieudonné, is booked to play ten shows in Montreal in May.

The comedian, who routinely makes jokes about gas chambers and has denied the holocaust publicly, was found guilty last year in France of condoning terrorism after posting a joke on his Facebook page about the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

Espace Mushagalusa, a small art gallery in downtown Montreal, has booked Dieudonné to play ten shows in a room that accommodates 200 people from May 11 to 16.

Shows sold out quickly

Gallery owner Mushagalusa Chigoho told CBC the shows sold out quickly, despite little publicity.

Chigoho said he was aware that Dieudonné is controversial, and so he asked to review the script of this particular show before agreeing to the booking.

"There was nothing insulting, nothing degrading, nothing racist. I can't be responsible for what he's said in the past," Chigoho said.

Dieudonné has several previous convictions under hate speech laws in France and Belgium. He has been widely criticized in Quebec and has seen previous runs of shows booked here cancelled due to his controversial remarks.

'Vile promoter' of anti-Jewish rhetoric

David Ouellette, spokesperson for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, told CBC that Chigoho was being "naive".

"It is safe to say that Dieudonné no longer is a comedian.  He has become an anti-semitic activist. He is a vile, vile promoter of the most heinous anti-Jewish rhetoric," Ouellette said.

Ouellette acknowledged that the show Dieudonné plans to perform here has not generated much controversy after being performed in France, but he still hoped that Chigoho might cancel the performances.

Ouellette also said he doubts Canadian immigration officials will allow Dieudonné into the country, given his numerous convictions in Europe.

Chigoho said he has hired extra security for the event, but he's confident everything will unfold calmly.