Bill Cosby warns audience of disruptions at Ontario shows

Comedian Bill Cosby, faced with mounting allegations of sexual assault, is warning his fans not to interact with protesters who may disrupt his standup shows in Canada this week, the first of which will be held Wednesday in Kitchener, Ont.

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The embattled comedian promised his Canadian fans "the show of their life" Tuesday as he urged them not to get involved if protesters disrupt any of the performances he hasplanned in Ontario this week.

Cosby's international tour rolls on despite growing allegationsof sexual assault against the veteran TV star, with scheduled stopsin Kitchener on Wednesday night, London on Thursday and Hamilton onFriday. Protests are being organized outside the Cosby shows in eachcity.

"Dear Patrons: we have been advised that there may be attemptsto disrupt tonight's performance," said the statement issued byPurpose PR Firm on behalf of Cosby. "If a disruption occurs, pleaseremain calm until the matter is resolved and do not confront theperson making the disruption."

The 77-year-old comedian has had to cancel or postpone at least 10 shows on his current tour because of the growing number of womenwho have come forward to claim he drugged and sexually assaultedthem, but the three in Ontario this week will go ahead as scheduled.

"I'm going to give my fans the show of their life," Cosby addedin his statement.

Earlier on Tuesday, Premier Kathleen Wynne said she would notattend any of Cosby's shows in Ontario because of the "veryserious" allegations of sexual assault the comedian is facing.

"Until those are sorted out I certainly would not go to aperformance," Wynne told reporters.

Since November, at least 15 women have come forward with claimsCosby sexually assaulted them decades ago -- with some saying hedrugged them before he assaulted them.

Cosby, who starred as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show"from 1984 to 1992, has never been criminally charged in connectionwith any of the allegations, and through his lawyer he has deniedthem.

The Ontario venues where Cosby will perform say they havecontractual obligations to allow the shows to continue. One venue --Kitchener's Centre In The Square -- addressed residents' angerdirectly.

"While we may personally share concerns raised by the community,if The Centre forces a cancellation of this rental show it isn'tsimply a situation of giving back the rent," it said in a blogpost, noting that it would also need to pay any "guarantee fee" toCosby, compensate the promoter for box office losses and showexpenses, and refund patrons.

A Kitchener group called Voices Carry has organized analternative event to raise awareness of sexual assault at the sametime as Cosby's show in the city.

"It's up to them to decide whether they want to go see BillCosby or not," said Kitchener Progressive Conservative MichaelHarris. "But alternatively they can take their tickets to a pub indowntown Kitchener to support (initiatives against) domesticviolence and Voices Carry."

Cosby issued a statement Tuesday urging people who attend his performances to remain calm if a show isinterruptedand to "notconfront the person making the disruption."