N.B. comedian fears being 'locked up,' cancels U.S. shows

James Mullinger is always looking for good fodder for jokes, but he may draw the line at being detained by police or border officials in the United States.

The Saint John-based comedian recently cancelled upcoming shows in Eastport and Houlton, Maine, with reports of entertainers encountering problems in the U.S. during the current trade dispute. 

"I love my job but not so much that I'd want to be locked up for two weeks … although it would probably make for good material," he joked. "But my wife needs me at home. If I didn't have people dependent on me I would possibly take the risk."

The British-born comedian, who moved to New Brunswick more than a decade ago, had the venues and dates booked and his paperwork in order, but it "seemed risky" making the trip to Maine in the current political climate.

"It just felt like not the right time," said Mullinger. "I didn't want to get swept up in either misinformation or propaganda or necessarily believing everything you hear. But it just seemed risky hearing that there are performers being locked up [even though] they're there with the correct paperwork."

Mullinger said he's never cancelled a show so it's not a decision he took lightly.

"Whether it be personal injuries, physically or otherwise, personal family tragedies, terrible weather, I will always make sure [the show] happens," he said.

Canadian artists losing U.S. opportunities

Angela Campbell, the executive director of the Imperial Theatre in Saint John and a board member of the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts, said it's unfortunate but understandable that some performers fear crossing the border right now.

"We want Canadian artists to go to the States, we want to introduce them into those markets, we want to give them that access. We want to do the same here [for U.S. artists]," she said. 

"[But] there's uncertainty right now on how their immigration policies will affect us. We're seeing some really unfortunate stories about Canadian artists having real trouble once they get into the U.S. and trying to get into the U.S."

Campbell said performing artists are losing opportunities to perform in the U.S. so need to be supported more at home in Canada.

"It's one of the conversations we're having at the national level," said Campbell. "How do we support Canadian artists … if they are seeing a decrease in touring availability in the U.S.? How do we backfill that for them and support them until they can start touring internationally again?"

Mullinger said Canadians need to more actively support homegrown comedians at a time like this.

"Canadians can do their part this summer," he said. "When they are deciding what comedy shows to go to, choose Canadian performers. There are Canadian comedy festivals booking solely American comedians … Let's treat Canadian comedians the same way we treat Canadian food. Embrace them and support them."

Mullinger said these are not anti-American sentiments. He loves Maine and will return to doing shows there when it feels safe again. 

He also wants to continue to nurture the bonds that exist between people in both countries. To that end, he is organizing replacement shows near the border in St. Stephen and Saint Andrews that he hopes Americans will cross the border to attend.

"I hope we can get the people of Maine and New Brunswick together in a room and we can all laugh together because, really, the things that certainly people in power want to do is divide us. This is a time more than ever for comedy to bring us together and unite us … and all just have a big hug and a big laugh together."