Craig McLachlan leaves Rocky Horror Show in Adelaide, denies sex abuse claims
ACTOR Craig McLachlan is out of his lead role in the Adelaide season of the Rocky Horror Show and the future of his Channel 7 TV series is in doubt after claims of sexual offences by female co-stars — as at least two more people come forward with complaints.
- McLachlan accuser denies money claims
- McLachlan’s reputation an ‘open secret’ in theatre circles
- His accusers: ‘I saw a side that was terrifying’
ACTOR Craig McLachlan is out of his lead role in the Adelaide season of The Rocky Horror Show after allegations of sexual offences were made by his female co-stars from a 2014 production of the musical.
McLachlan was said to be having a “meltdown” in Adelaide on Monday after the claims by actresses including Christie Whelan Browne, Erika Heynatz and Angela Scundi were published by Fairfax Media and the ABC.
The acclaimed stage and screen veteran has vigorously denied claims made by the female co-stars of indecent assault, sexual harassment, exposing himself and bullying, as Victoria Police confirmed they were investigating the allegations.
At least two more people have contacted police with complaints against McLachlan, it emerged this morning.
The popular actor, best known for his roles in Neighbours and Home and Away, has said in an email to Fairfax Media the claims are “baseless”.
“I have NEVER done anything like this,” McLachlan reportedly said in his emailed statement.
However, late Monday The Rocky Horror Show producers, the Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO), said its headline star McLachlan had left the national tour, which opened at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on New Year’s Eve.
“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,” a statement from GFO said. “We will be conducting a full internal investigation and will co-operate fully with authorities.
“While we clearly cannot comment on the details of this particular case, sexual assault in any form is unacceptable, and we will work diligently within this industry to support the right of all people to be protected in the workplace, and stand by those who are victims of inappropriate behaviour.”
Helpmann Award winner Kerrie Anne Greenland, who starred in the 2014 production of Les Miserables, said McLachlan’s reputation was an “open secret” in theatre circles.
She opted not to audition for The Rocky Horror Show after cast members who had worked with him complained to her about his alleged behaviour.
“I know people were feeling very uncomfortable on stage and off stage and a lot of the women felt very uncomfortable during the (Rocky Horror) show,” Greenland told The Advertiser.
Given the limited musical theatre roles for Australian performers, her decision is indicative of the power of the warnings imparted to the young star.
“I just didn’t want to put myself in that position. What I heard was powerful and I just didn’t want to be treated like that,” Greenland said.
Another former Rocky Horror actor, Nicholas Christo – who played the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott in the 2014 production – stood by the claims made by his female cast mates.
“These are my friends. I know them to be people of the highest integrity. I support their claims,” Christo said.
Whelan-Browne claimed McLachlan used the cover of props on stage — in particular an upright bed — to assault her out of view of the audience during performances.
A replica of the bed, in which patrons could pose for photos with a cardboard cutout of McLachlan, is understood to have now been removed from the Festival Theatre foyer.
Adam Rennie, who was playing the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott and was understudy for the part of Frank N Furter, will replace McLachlan for the rest of the Adelaide season, which finishes on January 13.
Rennie recently returned to Sydney after five years in the US, where his work included a national tour of Flashdance – The Musical.
A spokesperson for the Festival Centre and BASS said the announcement of an understudy stepping into the role meant that customers who have already bought tickets for the rest of the Adelaide season will not be entitled to a refund.
The second and final week of the Adelaide season had sold well, with only limited seats still available in the stalls and dress circle for the six remaining performances, although the upper dress circle balcony remains largely unsold.
The GFO statement added: “Our records show the claimants at no time made any complaint — formal or informal — to the company manager or executive producer of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014.
“Furthermore no one at GFO recalls any verbal discussion of this nature. It would be distressing to us if anyone within our company was dismissive of sexual assault allegations, and this will form a part of our internal investigation.”
Producers say McLachlan’s departure will “not affect the production across Australia of The Rocky Horror Show,” adding: “Our excellent cast are looking forward to continuing to bring this production to Australian audiences.”
Channel Seven, which planned to screen a new season of The Doctor Blake Mysteries this year, said it was “aware of the allegations concerning Craig McLachlan, which it takes very seriously.”
Production company December Media released a statement Monday night saying it would “temporarily hold production preparations for the new series to allow due process”.
In a statement released early on Monday, Victoria Police said: “Detectives from Melbourne’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating allegations of sexual offences dating back to 2014. As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to make any further comments.”
Whelan Browne, who played Janet opposite McLachlan, during the show’s 2014 tour, said the alleged experience left her “completely broken”.
“My hope is to spark a change. And change is hard. I have never in my life felt brave, until now. This was brave. We were brave,” Whelan-Browne said.
Her husband, actor Rohan Browne also went on social media to support his wife.
“My wife. Christie I applaud you. The courage to stand by your truth and make a change. I am in awe. I couldn’t love you more,” he said.
The women also accused McLachlan of being physically aggressive on stage.
Whelan Browne said she saw a side of the actor that “was terrifying”.
During one performance, when McLachlan was angry with another cast member, Whelan Browne said he “came up, grabbed me by the jaw and threw my face”.
“The character that was on stage was creeping into backstage behaviour,” Heynatz told the ABC’s 7.30 Report.
The women said that they did express their concerns to production staff at the time, but no action was taken.
Heynatz — who suffered from anxiety and was referred to a psychologist after her experiences in Rocky Horror — and Whelan Browne said recent sexual abuse allegations about Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted them to come forward.
“The Harvey Weinstein stories start coming out and I have an immediate physical and mental reaction to it — I start reliving some of the sensory things that go on, feeling anxious and unsettled, sleeplessness,” Heynatz said.
The 7.30 Report claimed to have seen correspondence sent by the women’s lawyer to GFO last year and said it also contacted the company last week.
The accusers
Christie Whelan-Browne
Theatre credits: Anything Goes, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, Shane Warne: The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Television credits: Winners And Losers, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door, The Wrong Girl
Whelan-Browne alleges McLachlan indecently assaulted her during the 2014 production of The Rocky Horror Show. She played Janet and he the lead role of Frank N Furter.
During a sex scene, which happens underneath sheets, Whelan-Browne claims McLachlan kissed her on the buttocks. She also claims that, in another incident, McLachlan said he could see her vagina through her underwear and “it smells sweet”. McLachlan has strongly denied Whelan-Browne’s claims.
This morning Whelan-Browne hit out on Twitter to deny claims she made the accusations for money.
Angela Scundi
Theatre credits: The Three Penny Opera, Spring Awakening, The Rocky Horror Show.
Movie credits: I Love You Too, Elevate.
Angela Scundi played a phantom and was understudy for Erika Heynatz’s role of Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show.
She claims McLachlan made inappropriate comments about her breasts and, during one moment on stage, hugged her while wearing only boxer shorts and “pushed his pelvis into me and moved around so I could feel his penis against my body”.
She also alleges McLachlan visited her dressing room, stripped naked and said: “Don’t go, sorry, I’m just so comfortable.” Scundi claims McLachlan forced his tongue into her mouth during a kissing scene on stage.
When she protested to him directly, she alleges McLachlan told her: “You are nothing! Don’t you dare talk to me like that. I will end you.” Scundi says she complained to theatre company managers about McLachlan’s alleged behaviour. McLachlan has strongly denied Scundi’s claims.
Erika Heynatz
Theatre credits: Legally Blonde, Singing in the Rain, The Rocky Horror Show. Television credits: Australia’s Next Top Model, It Takes Two, Home and Away. Movie credits: Mermaids, Gabriel
Erika Heynatz, who played Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, claims McLachlan “straddled me on the couch, knee either side, and started kissing my neck” as she sat in a green room at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre.
She also alleges that, in another incident, McLachlan visited her dressing room and is said to have swooned: “You’re really beautiful and I can’t stop thinking about you and every day I’m becoming more and more enchanted by you and I’m falling for you.” Heynatz then claims McLachlan kissed her. She said: “I was almost paralysed … I was in shock.”
Heynatz said she complained to production staff about McLachlan’s alleged behaviour because she feared for her safety. She also sought medical treatment for anxiety. McLachlan has strongly denied Heynatz’s claims.