The Scoop: Craig McLachlan’s shock return to stage with ABBACHOIR
Craig McLachlan is making a surprise return to the stage with an unexpected project that combine’s ABBA’s biggest hits and the Pub Choir phenomenon. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
Entertainment
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After a tumultuous few years marked by a highly publicised defamation lawsuit and criminal charges, actor and musician Craig McLachlan is making a sensational return to the stage with an unexpected project – ABBACHOIR.
Set to take place on October 27 at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall, this event promises a night filled with ABBA’s timeless hits, led by McLachlan and his partner, conductor Vanessa Scammell.
In a unique twist reminiscent of the popular Pub Choir phenomenon, ABBACHOIR will see the duo donning their snazziest 70s leotards, guiding an audience of 3000 through a classic ABBA song in three-part harmony.
“This isn’t about perfect pitch – it’s about fun, friendship, and a shared love for ABBA’s timeless hits,” McLachlan said.
McLachlan’s love for ABBA dates back to his childhood memories of “ABBAmania,” recalling playing songs like ‘Ring Ring’ and ‘Mamma Mia’ in his primary school playground. “Decades down the track, I’m about to lead hundreds of people in learning an ABBA song. It’s that very uniqueness that makes this show special,” he shared. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best ABBA-inspired outfits, making the night a vibrant spectacle of 70s glam. “I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to dress up, even if it’s just a pair of crimplene flares and a bit of over-the-top eyeshadow,” McLachlan said.
This return marks a significant moment for McLachlan, who faced a high-profile defamation case and subsequent acquittal in 2020.
“It’s been a rough few years for me and Vanessa,” McLachlan confided.
“It was devastating having to go through what I went through.
“It’s just taken me a little time to get refocused and really think about what it is I want to do. But reconnecting with my fans and focusing on projects that bring happiness has been crucial in my recovery.”
Now, he is focusing on what makes him happy and reigniting his passion for performing.
“Being creative has been key to surviving and still putting a smile on my face,” he said.
Busy conceptualising new shows and signing with celebrity PR guru Max Markson, McLachlan is signalling his readiness to re-enter the public eye with renewed vigour.
However, McLachlan’s journey back to the performing arts has not been without its challenges.
“When you get so brutally smashed in the media – you go to a place of trauma,” he confessed.
“It’s easy to see the difficult things and it’s not easy to see the positives when you’re immersed in such cold, dark waters, you don’t see the sunshine.
“It’s not really until you’ve got yourself back in reasonable shape and venture out that you go ‘Oh my god, people are wonderful and the sun is shining’”.
The actor credits his fans for helping him navigate through the storm.
“It sounds cliche, but if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be back out there.,” he said.
“They remind me every day of why I wanted to perform in the first place.”
As he prepares for his return to the spotlight, McLachlan remains optimistic about the future and is ready to reclaim his place in the spotlight.
“For those who wanted to see the back of me, I’m afraid that’s not going to happen,” he declared.
“The best is yet to come.”
McLachlan will be returning to the stage on October 27 at Fortitude Music Hall as host of ABBACHOIR.
WHY GHIDELLA WAS AXED
High-profile newsreader Sharyn Ghidella was axed by Channel 7 due to the much higher salary she was pulling in compared to her co-host Max Futcher, insiders have revealed.
Sources told Scoop the decision to make Ghidella redundant was “all about the money”, with the network ultimately choosing to retain Futcher - the cheaper option - as budget cuts continue.
Scoop can also reveal that, ironically, Ghidella was getting ready to film a 7NEWS promo video for the upcoming EKKA when she received the news of her dismissal on Friday.
Journalists across the industry have expressed heartbreak over Ghidella’s sudden departure, with 7NEWS newsreaders for the 4pm weekday bulletin, Katrina Blowers and Samantha Heathwood, voicing their sadness over the departure of their colleague.
“I am so sad about Sharyn – she was such an amazing colleague and friend. As a budding journalist, it was watching her on the Today Show and then Seven News that made me want to go into TV,” Heathwood said.
“Shazzy was unflappable in the most chaotic and challenging moments – she was an icon in our newsroom, and loved by every single person. We are all in shock.”
“Sharyn has been a cherished colleague and friend for years, and I’m really sad to see her leave. Her impact on journalism and broadcasting is inspiring,” Blowers added.
In an on-air farewell on Friday night, Max Futcher paid tribute to Ghidella during the 6pm bulletin, which he hosted alone.
“First tonight, she didn’t want a farewell, and she’s too humble to want us to make a fuss. But we would like to thank Sharyn Ghidella for her 17 wonderful years behind the desk here at 7News Brisbane,” he said.
“A true professional, an accomplished journalist, and for all of us here – a friend and mentor. And my good mate.”
MARATHON RANT
Last weekend’s Gold Coast Marathon was hailed as a record-breaking success, but not everyone was happy.
Coast Indigenous identity Max Dillon unleashed on Facebook after organisers commissioned an Aboriginal artist, who is not from the local Kombumerri tribe, to design the finishers’ medals.
The artist, Daisy Brown, lives on the Gold Coast but describes herself as “a proud descendant of the Muruwari people” - Muruwari being an inland Indigenous region stretching from Cunnamulla near the Queensland-NSW border down into northwestern NSW.
Trumpeting the talents of Ms Brown, marathon organisers said she lived on “Yugambeh Country, Gold Coast, QLD” and “finds inspiration in the beauty of the land, sea and sky”.
“Daisy’s artworks are her own interpretations and she does not paint Dreaming stories she is not a Custodian of,” they added.
Mr Dillon, grandson of respected Kombumerri elder Dr Graham Dillon, lashed the use of “Yugambeh” - a local Aboriginal language - as “fraud”.
“This is Kombumerri Country, we have our own language,” he wrote.
One commenter said there were “plenty of deadly Kombumerri artists that could’ve (sic) benefited from this opportunity” while another said marathon organisers were “in bed with the wrong mob”.
Max Dillon has been heavily critical of the use of “Yugambeh” to describe the country inhabited by the Kombumerri.
ALBO’S EYESIGHT FAILURE
In a classic case of “see no protest, hear no protest,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed he didn’t notice the intense pro-Palestinian protests that erupted outside a Labor Party dinner at the Greek Club on Friday night.
Organised by Justice for Palestine Meanjin, the rally sought to spotlight Australia’s role in what they termed the “Gaza genocide”. Demonstrators unfurled bold banners reading “ALP arms genocide,” hoping to catch the eye of the True Believers dinner attendees.
The who’s who of Labor, including all candidates for the federal election, were forced to walk through a sea of pro-Palestinian chants, flags and signs, but a remarkably obliviousness Albanese stated on Saturday “I didn’t see anyone there.”
CLAYTON WAVES BRIT FLAG
He might be a proud Aussie sporting great but champion ironman turned Gold Coast swim coach Phil Clayton will be waving the Union Jack at this month’s Paris Olympics.
Clayton, who won the world ironman title and famously starred alongside Trevor Hendy in a fictional Uncle Toby’s race on Baywatch is swim coach for the British triathlon team. He arrived in Paris this week to prepare his Pommy charges for the Games, where the triathlon swim leg will be held in the iconic but polluted River Seine.
“Water quality doesn’t look great but we’ve got about 20 days until it (the Olympics) starts and fingers crossed it will settle down a bit,” he told his social media followers in a “bonjour” video from the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Clayton coached the Brits to gold and silver in Tokyo.
ERIN TACKLES PREGNANCY HEAD ON
Erin McNaught, at 42, is tackling her “geriatric pregnancy” head on and showing no signs of slowing down.
Two months after announcing her pregnancy on Mother’s Day with partner Stace Cadet (Stasi Kotaras), McNaught has revealed the gritty details of her challenging first trimester and how she’s fighting back with a killer fitness routine.
“Being pregnant at 42 is no joke – I am wrecked at the end of every single day,” she told Scoop.
The fitness fanatic, who has previously faced harsh criticism for her bump size – or lack thereof – is embracing the challenges of this latest pregnancy.
“I’ve definitely had to slow down a lot,” she confessed, citing severe morning sickness that left her bedridden for weeks. “With this pregnancy I was really sick for most of my first trimester – some days I was barely able to get out of bed – so I lost a tremendous amount of fitness and strength.
“Getting back into training after what was essentially three months off a little difficult.”
As an ambassador for Strong pilates, she’s bouncing back stronger than ever – just in time for the brand’s new studio opening in Chermside on July 20.
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