The Rocky Horror Show goes ahead in Adelaide amid new allegations against lead actor Craig McLachlan
THE anxiety of the past few days drained away as Craig McLachlan’s replacement for Rocky Horror’s final week in Adelaide put on a triumphant performance.
- Craig McLachlan leaves show in Adelaide, denies sex abuse claims
- Craig McLachlan: Accusers angry over production company’s denial
- McLachlan accuser denies money claims
READ PETER BURDON’S REVIEW BELOW
THE Rocky Horror Show went ahead in Adelaide on Tuesday night without star Craig McLachlan, who faced new allegations of sexual misconduct from two former stage workers.
Understudy Adam Rennie stepped into the lead role of Frank N Furter for the first time at the Festival Theatre before a nearly full house — and didn’t miss a beat.
And, judging by audience reaction, the remaining cast, who are now carrying the weight of the show, need not worry.
McLachlan stood down from his role on Monday after the 52-year-old was embroiled in a sex scandal, with three one-time Rocky Horror co-stars accusing him of lurid indecent assault, sexual harassment and bullying. He has strongly denied the claims.
Actresses Christie Whelan Browne, Erika Heynatz and Angela Scundi, who appeared opposite McLachlan in the 2014 national touring production of Rocky Horror, accused him in a joint report published by Fairfax Media and aired by the ABC’s 7.30 on Monday.
Two more former crew members, a woman and a man, contacted police about the alleged incidents yesterday. Victoria Police had previously confirmed they were investigating claims of sexual offences made by two women.
Current Rocky Horror cast member Amanda Harrison, who plays Magenta, confirmed understudy Adam Rennie as McLachlan’s replacement for the rest of the Adelaide season on Instagram on Tuesday.
The latest incarnation of the musical, which had its national premiere here on New Year’s Eve, runs at the Festival Theatre until Saturday.
Chris Walker, of Hove, and Jade Sutton, of Dover Gardens, attended last night’s performance and said they never even considered trying to get a refund when McLachlan left the lead role. “It doesn’t reflect the show,’’ Ms Sutton said.
Most who had arrived at the theatre in red feather boas, French maids’ outfits and sparkly top hats knew the story that had dominated the week’s news, but remained loyal.
“We didn’t think about getting a refund — the show itself is the star and the cast have done a great job tonight,” said Lyn Howard of Elizabeth Park.
As the announcement of Rennie taking over the lead role was made over the loud speaker, it was met with a huge cheer. And later in the show, when the actor took to the stage singing the iconic number Sweet Transvestite, he proved himself as a performer to watch.
“I think all the performers have just so much energy and the audience were really on their side. They know how tough it would be to carry on with the show after everything,” Ms Howard said.
Also in the audience Tuesday was the show’s producer John Frost. Fellow audience member Caitlin Somerville agreed it was important for Adelaide audiences to continue to support Rocky Horror in its final week.
One of McLachlan’s accusers, leading Australian musical theatre performer Christie Whelan Browne, has responded to suggestions she is seeking financial gain.
“To those claiming that I did this for money: A) There are no paid interviews. B) I have paid my own legal fees. C) I risked never being hired again. I just don’t understand where you think I’m getting any money?” Whelan Browne wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
In his emailed response to Fairfax Media denying the women’s claims, McLachlan had said they were “baseless” and “they seem to be simple inventions, perhaps made for financial reasons, perhaps to gain notoriety”.
A triumphant debut for Adam Renie
By Peter Burdon
THE anxiety of the past few days drained away as the band thundered out the opening chords to launch Rocky Horror’s final week in Adelaide.
Newly-minted Frank N Furter Adam Rennie, too, surely heaved a sigh of relief at the thunderous cheer that greeted the announcement of his casting at a mere day’s notice, and in such difficult circumstances.
Beginning with whoops and cheers for an unbelievably suave Narrator in the person of Adelaide’s own Peter Goers (who might just be creator Richard O’Brien’s slightly more reputable long lost brother), the show was sparking from the get go, everyone determined to make it, as he nearly says, “a night to remember for a very long time.”
And no one there will soon forget the vast ovation that greeted Frank N Furter’s entrance. Rennie has the looks, the legs, the luscious lips and most importantly of all, the lungs to make a meal of this iconic role. And those shiny new shoes didn’t hurt!
The fresh casting has the inevitable but not undesirable effect of changing the balance of voices and the impact of a number of the songs, with numbers like Frank’s “I Can Make You A Man” rather more sensual, and Eddie’s “Hot Patootie — Bless My Soul” a rowdy rock n roll anthem, and “I’m Going Home” more tender, all packing a different punch. And the famous bed scenes are if anything funnier than ever.
Swing member Geoffrey Winter stepped up impressively into Rennie’s roles of Eddie and Dr Scott.
Continuing leads Rob Mallet (Brad), Michelle Smitheram (Janet), Amanda Harrison (Usherette, and a manic, magnetic Magenta), Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff) and especially Nadia Komazec (a sizzling Columbia) all gave 110 per cent.
But the night was Rennie’s, and it was a triumph, and the audience stood and screamed their heads off. Well done, and here’s hoping the heels are his for the rest of the tour.