NewsBite

Actor Aleh Sidorchyk dropped from Australian production after being charged over ‘indecent act’ on flight

An international actor who was set to appear in an Australian production has been axed from the show after an alleged airborne incident.

Ukrainian community disappointed over Adelaide Writers’ Festival’s controversial authors

An international actor who was due to perform in Australia has been axed from the production after he was charged with an indecent act on a plane.

Aleh Sidorchyk had been due to perform at the Adelaide Festival this month.

The actor is from Belarus and performs as part of the Belarus Free Theatre. The company, which performs works focusing on freedom and democracy, has been banned in Belarus by the dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko.

It is currently based in exile in London.

Aleh Sidorchyk performs in the Belarus Free Theatre production of King Lear. Picture: Belarus Free Theatre
Aleh Sidorchyk performs in the Belarus Free Theatre production of King Lear. Picture: Belarus Free Theatre

Sidorchyk, 61, was a key cast member of the company’s acclaimed dystopian production Dogs of Europe.

However, on Sunday an alleged incident occurred on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide.

He was charged with committing an act of indecency while on board.

The actor was charged after an incident on a Malaysia Airlines flight to Adelaide. Photo – istock ESCAPE news
The actor was charged after an incident on a Malaysia Airlines flight to Adelaide. Photo – istock ESCAPE news

The actor appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday from the city watchhouse via video link.

He was ordered to surrender his passport, report to Hindley Street Police station and remain at his hotel in the CBD, reported The Advertiser. He is not allowed to leave the state.

Adelaide Festival chief executive Kath Mainland said Sidorchyk would now not appear on the Adelaide stage.

“Aleh Sidorchyk will no longer be appearing in Dogs of Europe and will be replaced by Ilya Yasinski and Igor Shugaleev,” Ms Mainland said in a statement.

“The production will open on Thursday night and continue its run until Monday 6 March, as planned.”

Sidorchyk had been due to leave Australia on March 7. It’s expected the matter will be dealt with in court prior to that ahead of his flight out of the country.

Originally published as Actor Aleh Sidorchyk dropped from Australian production after being charged over ‘indecent act’ on flight

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/actor-aleh-sidorchyk-dropped-form-australian-production-after-being-charged-over-indecent-act-on-flight/news-story/06db515f26709035e9018215e9089d4d