NO sooner has the proverbial dust settled after the violence that developed following the Birmingham Rep's decision to stage the controversial play Behzti - and their subsequent cancellation of the run - than the curtain has has risen on another theatrical production row.

Readers will remember the furore that following the Rep's initial decision to stage the play, which depicted graphic sexual acts inside a gurdwara, to the dismay and anger of the Sikh community.

They eventually backed down after a night of public disorder, but then came in for a critical savaging from many in the theatrical, and wider, world.

County MP Peter Luff has now walked upstage and launched an attack on the BBC's decision to show Jerry Springer - the Opera.

Although being aired in a late-night Saturday slot, there is bound to be many that share the MP's view that this is beyond the pale.

Jerry Springer - the Opera is not exactly demure. It has been described as depraved, irreligious, profane and obscene. It contains more than 8,000 obscenities, is a multi award-winner - and it is playing to packed houses!

So what's the problem?

Well, it is the same conundrum that faced the Rep's directors... there is now a no-win scenario.

If the BBC caves in and removes the show from the schedules, then it will be branded as censors.

If it airs the show as planned it will be branded by many as being "irresponsible".

What this row has probably achieved, is a much wider audience for the stage show.

Who said there is no such thing as bad publicity?