Pantomime dame accused of contravening Geneva Convention
Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre warned to change symbol on character's costume.

By John Kilbride
07 January 2011 13:47 GMT
Comment

Crossed off: Panto poster showing costume before the change.

A Scottish pantomime dame has been accused of contravening the Geneva Convention in a production of Robin Hood.

Dean Park, who plays Nurse Ima Poltis in The Magical Adventures of Robin Hood at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre, had a red cross on his costume similar to that used by the international humanitarian organisation.

But the comic has been warned by the British Red Cross that it had to be changed because it was too similar to the one they used.

In the letter the legal chief of the British Red Cross warned that the unauthorised use of the symbol could cost lives.

The letter said: "Unauthorised use of the sign is an offence under the Geneva Conventions act 1957(section 6, 1a)

"The reason for the strict control is that the red cross emblem is an internationally agreed symbol of protection during armed conflicts."

It went on: "If the emblem is used for other purposes, its special significance will be diminished and potentially lives may be lost."

The British Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world's largest independent humanitarian organisation. The Red Cross symbol, which is the colours on the Swiss national flag reversed, was adopted in 1863.

It is used in times of conflict to protect the sick and wounded and those who care for them, and to indicate that the person or object on which it is displayed is connected with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The misuse of the emblems is prohibited because those using it must be trusted to be neutral and impartial.

A spokesman for the British Red Cross said: "We have no desire to be the villains of the pantomime or to appear heavy handed, but we do have a very serious obligation to protect the Red Cross emblem.

"The emblem is a special sign of neutrality and protection recognised by all sides during armed conflicts. Misuse of that emblem - even when done in an innocent and light-hearted manner – has to be addressed. Repeated and widespread misuse of the Red Cross emblem could dilute its neutrality and its ability to protect.

"When we contacted the theatre management, they quickly changed the cross on the nurse’s costume to green and we applaud them for that."

The costume has now been changed and the red cross has been replaced with a green one.

The show, which runs until the end of January, also features comedian Jim Davidson and TV presenters Colin and Justin.

"It's not a Red Cross - it's orange."