The Other Side of Craig McLachlan

Stage Whispers applauds the bravery of Christie Whelan Browne and other cast members of the 2014 season of The Rocky Horror Show for raising their voices about the alleged behaviour of Craig McLachlan. Their sincerity, maturity and compassion for others speak for themselves.

Christie Whelan Brown has blasted those who accuse her of speaking out for money, pointing out that there is no money in it for her - only the risk of jeapoardising her career.

Many in the industry are surprised at the allegations raised by Fairfax and the ABC.

Today Richard O'Brien the creator of The Rocky Horror Show told  the NZ website The Stuff that he did not recognise the Craig McLachlan in the reports.

"[I knew] that cheeky chap who just can't stop entertaining. He came over (to New Zealand) and helped me raise funds for the Starship Children's Hospital and he left a wake of happy smiling faces behind him. That's the only Craig that I've ever met."

We have had similar experiences at Stage Whispers.

At media calls he was utterly charming and well known for his good humour. He flirted but did so very politely.

Craig told Stage Whispers in November:

“I love flirting; I guess I flirt with everyone, male or female. Pathetic - sometimes I’m like a puppy dog and I want everyone to like me, so I’m silly and clown-like and affectionate and whatever a twenty-year-old’s idea of sexy is, and somehow it worked. Plus, I genuinely admire women and love their company. Hey, I’m a bloke after all.”

He was known to be ever patient with fans at the stage door and took relatives of cast members on backstage tours - behaving like a gentleman.

With a reputation for being a model employee in some respects - it might explain the dilemma posed to The Gordon Frost Organisation when allegations were raised against him.

The lessons of this episode hopefully makes it  easier for people to speak out earlier and these issues resolved promptly.

(David Spicer)