Licence to Offend: The cartoon show they wanted to silence

Happiness © David Simonds

Cancelled for being “too offensive” back in May, a bold exhibition of political cartoons is back with a vengeance. But in a culture bending over backwards to avoid offence, its return asks an uncomfortable question: have we lost our appetite for satire?

Earlier this year, a group of Britain’s sharpest political cartoonists found themselves cancelled. Their exhibition, Licence to Offend, was pulled by a nervous venue “in case it caused offence”. The irony? Offence is the point. What followed was a national row over free speech, censorship, and whether satire has a place in today’s increasingly cautious culture. Headlines screamed: ‘Cartoon exhibition banned’ and ‘Free speech row erupts’. Suddenly, a niche art show had become a flashpoint for creative freedom.

Now, the show is back – with a vengeance. From 16 September until 4 October 2025, Licence to Offend takes over Colony Room Green in Soho, a bold reimagining of the legendary Colony Room Club, once the hangout of Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and London’s most notorious misfits.

Curated by artist and ex-club member Darren Coffield, the exhibition rips political cartoons from the back pages of The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, Private Eye and splashes them across gallery walls. This isn’t polite commentary; it’s a confrontation. A roll call of Britain’s most fearless cartoonists – from Patrick Blower and Nicola Jennings to Martin Rowson and Morten Morland – all lining up to take shots at power. Every sketch unapologetic, every scribble a middle finger to the establishment. Politicians of every leaning are lampooned. Institutions unapologetically skewered. No subject sacred, no authority left untouched.

The choice of venue is no accident, either. The Colony Room was once dubbed “one of the seediest spots in Britain”. But it was also the beating heart of bohemian London. Its walls undoubtedly witnessed decades of dissent, drunken arguments, and radical creativity. Now, Colony Room Green recreates that spirit: green-painted walls, no phones allowed, and rules that echo its infamous founder Muriel Belcher’s one commandment: don’t be boring. It’s the perfect backdrop for a show that thrives on provocation.

The cancellation only amplified the message and gave it global free promotion. In trying to shut cartoonists down, the powers that be proved exactly why they’re still needed. As Coffield puts it, Licence to Offend isn’t just about art; it’s about resistance. “Cartooning has always thrived on outrage, razor-sharp wit, and the freedom to bite,” he says. “This show celebrates that radical soul.” Expect laughter, discomfort, and a flat-out reminder of why satire still matters.