A comedian is being sued for hosting a women-only comedy night in California last month.

Iliza Shlesinger - a dynamic performer who has fronted a series of Netflix shows - is facing a lawsuit over her event titled Girls Night In with Iliza — No Boys Allowed.

The lawsuit claims that defendant George St. George and a male friend of his brought $30 (£22) tickets to the performance on November 13.

The pair were apparently told to sit at the back when they arrived at the Los Angeles theatre venue. But they were later denied entry and offered a refund, the suit alleges.

Attorney Alfred Rava says the incident violates California laws around gender discrimination. He noted that the action had no relation to current allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

“Post-Weinstein, Pre-Weinstein, or Mid-Weinstein environment makes no difference,” Rava tells TheWrap.

“At no time should an entertainer or an entertainment venue require female patrons or male patrons sit in the back of the theater based solely on their sex, or prohibit people from entering the theater and taking in the show based solely on their sex – or their race, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship, or other protected personal characteristic.”

No boys allowed: comedian sued for hosting women-only show