Craig McLachlan ousted from The Rocky Horror Show
Craig McLachlan will no longer appear on stage as Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, with producers The Gordon Frost Organisation announcing it is “not appropriate” for him to continue in light of the sexual assault and harassment allegations against him.
Earlier today, a joint investigation by Fairfax Media and the ABC alleged McLachlan indecently assaulted, sexually harassed and bullied female co-stars in a 2014 production of the show.
McLachlan allegedly exposed himself, touched women’s genitals and groped their breasts, according to reports today
We think this is a disproportionate response. Whatever happened the the principle of law “innocent until PROVEN guilty”. Shame on you GFO productions. We will be demanding a refund of our Perth tickets. We wented to see Craig not the rest of the cast.
We have tickets for the Melbourne show. And if Craig is not there then neither are we. We have paid big money for this show, and Craig is the reason for that.
So hope they are prepared to give refunds
I booked tickets for the Last show in Brisbane ONLY because Craig was starring. I’ll be cancelling unless his replacement is a goddam superstar.
Shame on the producers!!!!!!
Who are these people worried about their goddamn musical theatre tickets when 3 women have made serious claims that this guy is a sexual predator?! Temporarily suspending someone from their job because he’s has been accused of sexual assault is totally reasonable!!!!
It will be interesting if they all share the same IP addresses…? Innocent until proven guilty mind. Lets allow the police and then I assume courts to pursue the matter and deliver a verdict.
Innocent until proven guilty
Totally agree.
Craig is definitely the reason why we were going to this show again in Adelaide. Not happy at all. Really not interested in going anymore.
I really think there should be more evidence to back up all these allegations before the press runs rampant with them. If these men are guilty then sure, they deserve to be named and shamed. But destroying men’s livelihoods in the court of public opinion only makes the problem worse, and deminishes legitimate cases.
Hi Damien, Much of the evidence and testimony you ask for can be seen in the ABC’s 7.30 Report investigation, which can be viewed here: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/cra.....t,/9312866
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Hi Tim,
I have no idea as to whether or not these complaints against Craig McLachlan are true but your comment shows exactly what is wrong with the media (including, disappointingly, Mumbrella) and the new direction of going down the road of becoming tabloid trash and clickbait.
You have just said……
“much of the evidence and testimony you ask for can be seen in the ABC’s 7.30 Report investigation, which can be viewed here: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/cra…..t,/9312866″
…..when replying to Damien and added a link to the story.
There is ZERO evidence in that story yet, with sloppy journalism, you are painting the picture that these allegations are true.
Yes, the “testimony” was in that story but that is a completely different thing to evidence.
I too was a little surprised by this response by Mumbrella and the initial story which really contributes bugger all to the issue. No analysis or opinion and rehashes the existing story with extensive quoting from Fairfax.
Mumbrella covering Fairfax covering a story adds sweet FA to the issue, but gives Mumbrella precious page impressions in a no-news month. Let’s be honest, that’s why this story is on here, need to get the impressions up, right?
Testimony is evidence though, Charlie. So you’re quite wrong on that front.
First hand testimony is evidence. That’s also how the courts see it, since you’re feeling that way inclined.
The responses on this article are absolutely appalling. Kris, Carol, David, if the accusers were your daughters, your nieces, your cousins, your sisters, would you feel the same way? Any woman brave enough to stand up against their abuser deserves a lot more respect than you’ve shown today.
“Any woman brave enough to stand up against their abuser deserves a lot more respect than you’ve shown today.” lol are you for real? They are allegations is all they are. We don’t have an abuser right now. There are a hell of a lot of liars in this world. I’ll reserve judgement until the defamation proceedings reach a conclusion. That’s right she is being sued. A case now of put up or shut up with big $s involved. So easy to throw mud when you think you are safe. Now she’s not. My guess avd is only a guess is that he wins a settlement. We’ll see
After reading most of the comments on this story I now 100% understand why (mostly) women do not come forward with sexual assault allegations. Gawd it must take guts to go up against a male “star”.
Innocent until proven guilty…at least that is how I thought the law worked in Australia. Will NOT be buying tickets to the Melbourne show unless Craig McLaughlin is re-instated. As Frank N Furter..he IS the show. In the context of The Rocky Horror Show perhaps there is a practical explanation?
How disgusting you are Julie.
I saw the Rocky Horror Show last week and I’m going again this week. I couldn’t care less who plays the lead, I’m going because I love the show, not the cast. Of course it’s the right thing to do for Craig McLaughlin to step down under the circumstances. There are a lot more serious matters at stake here. I applaud the women who have braved up to speak out. How incredibly difficult must that have been.
Not wanting to be flippant about this topic, but are there really three people (as per the top comments) who would self describe themselves as Craig McLachlan fans? You do realise there are are other actors, yeah? Go see Star Wars or something.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty
Why, has somebody put him in jail?
“In response, we have spoken to Craig and have mutually agreed that it is not appropriate for him to continue in the current production of the show.”
Has Craig’s replacement been announced?
Did craig link this article from his Facebook fan page or something?
Craig McLaughlin was the reason I was NOT going to this production (his overinflated ego has always creeped me out) but if another actor takes over I will definitely go. Yes, innocent until proven guilty but I am not even surprised to hear of allegations.
Extremely disappointed to see Mumbrella allowing heresay to condemn those who question these allegations. Just because the ABC shows it doesn’t make it true!! You should be afraid… very afraid.. that if someone should accuse you of similar, there will be nothing you can do. Your media publication will be in jeopardy and clients will take their money and run. But you will only have yourselves to blame by backing this current trend of publishing and judging the facts to be true and ignoring the hard fought system of democratic law. There will be no-one there to stand by you.
Ummmm guys, c’mon — Frank’n Furter is the ultimate sexual predator. He seduces / has at least 5 lovers in the musical. (“Oh I know Brad.. but isn’t it NICE?!?!”) Having him continue in this role would be incredibly inappropriate and freaking AWKWARD given what’s being accused. Also – the production company decided to cut him from the show, NOT Mumbrella – so chill out on here.
I agree innocent until proven guilty. I have to wonder why in this case and many other similar cases the supposed victims take so long to speak out. It’s all very well to say that fear is why they don’t but these days I do not believe that to be an excuse and in this situation these women had ample time to speak up long before the production started. With all the hype around the show especially with Craig reviving the role why wait for the season to begin when it was announced months before. If it is proven that the allegations are true then in my opinion these women are just as guilty for allowing the season to commence and putting these cast members in the same position. Sounds a lot like sour grapes to me. If the allegations are proven to be true then he deserves all he gets but if not all these people have potentially done is ruin a long career.
“With all the hype around the show especially with Craig reviving the role why wait for the season to begin when it was announced months before.”
What hype? Outside of the Craig McLachlan fan club, Rocky Horror is hardly commanding ‘hype’.
I am so disgusted by your comments Wayne.
1. Fear is not an ‘excuse’
2. “If it is proven that the allegations are true then in my opinion these women are just as guilty for allowing the season to commence” – are you actually serious?!
I have no words. Faith in humanity lost.
Congratulations for defining victim blaming so well for us all! Oh wait, what? You’re not serious, right?
A show glorifying depravity was a den of iniquity! Who’da thunk it?
Innocent until proven guilty! I do not see any evidence of fairness towards Craig. I do not know the man but I do understand that with backstage – egos are raging and people do get hurt in the process. It is the nature of the business. I still do not see the reason why Craig could not still work on the production and backstage managers just keep an eye on him until the investigation is completed? It does not seem fair that the man has lost his livelihood over what seems like antique pranks!
This is just an add on to all of the ridiculous accusations coming from Hollywood. Mr. McLaughlin is a wonderful singer, actor and entertainer. To drop him from any shows is ludicrous. Innocent before proven guilty. I support Mr. McLaughlin and wish him the very best!!!
This is just an add on to all of the ridiculous accusations coming from Hollywood. Mr. McLaughlin is a wonderful singer, actor and entertainer. To drop him from any shows is ludicrous. Innocent before proven guilty. I support Mr. McLaughlin and wish him the very best!!!
“Mr. McLaughlin is a wonderful singer, actor and entertainer.”
HA HA HA HA HA … good one.
Easily the funniest thing I’ve read today and I just wanted to thank Michelle for posting it twice.
Such a gent, RussVB! Ever have computer issues? No, not you! Let’s keep on topic sir. We differ in opinion. I enjoy Mr. McLaughlin and obviously, you do not. Enjoy those that you do, as I will enjoy my favorites. Happy day to you sir!
I have just watched the Brisbane Matinee Show today of Rocky Horror. My husband and I booked after seeing Craig McLaughlan in the last show in Brisbane.
The new understudy who filled in was very talented and did a great job. The show was fabulous, but I must say the role is Craig McLaughlan’s. I believe he is being treated badly and not guilty till proven.
He is a Aussie Icon and we miss him???
In most employer contracts, an employee would be suspended when accusations from co-employees are made of this gravity. It is absolutely right they have suspended Mr McLaughlan. These accusations are extremely serious. Imagine them happening in your workplace. If he is proven innocent, after the police and the company, and perhaps courts, have run the course of their investigations, then I am certain the production company would reinstate him, and he would be able to declare his innocence to the world. And perhaps seek damages if the accusations had been wrongfully made. What I don’t see in Mumbrella’s reporting of this story is any accusation that McLaughlan is guilty. Rightfully, that’s for the courts to decide. They’ve simply reported on this story. So everyone on this, should consider what action they might take as “employers” in the same situation. If anything, if the accusers testimonies are correct, the production company acted too slow and ignored the accusers first raising of the issue to them.
It would be well mannered, at the very least, by the above commenters’, to spell the man’s name correctly.
Try Craig McLachlan…….