Craig McLachlan abandons return to the stage amid backlash

Craig McLachlan has abandoned a controversial comeback to the stage after a social media backlash.

McLachlan was due to star in a touring production of the comedy Cluedo, produced by John Frost, from January.

In January 2018, the former star of Neighbours, Home & Away and the Doctor Blake Mysteries was alleged to have indecently assaulted and sexually harassed female performers during a 2014 stage production of The Rocky Horror Show.

McLachlan launched defamation proceedings in 2018 against The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC and performer Christie Whelan Browne over reports about the allegations.

On December 15, 2020, McLachlan was found not guilty of criminal charges relating to his alleged conduct during The Rocky Horror Show.

McLachlan was acquitted of seven charges of indecent assault relating to seven alleged incidents involving four women, as well as being acquitted of related assault charges.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington found the criminal charges were not established beyond reasonable doubt under the laws that applied at the time, but said that “were the current law applicable, it is possible that the result may be different”. She described the four complainants as “brave and honest witnesses”.

McLachlan abruptly abandoned the defamation case in 2022 before the media organisations and Whelan Browne had called their 11 witnesses to give evidence. He was ordered to pay legal costs, reportedly in the order of $2 million.

McLachlan’s last theatrical outing was in a December 2017 production of The Rocky Horror Show in which he reprised his Frank-N-Furter character for a run in Adelaide before touring to Brisbane and Perth. McLachlan departed the show in the wake of the allegations emerging.

In an emotional video statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, which he said had been delayed by the death of his mother on Monday, McLachlan accused his critics of bullying and unfairly treating the other two actors who had signed on for Cluedo – theatre veterans Genevieve Lemon and Grant Piro.

“A focused social media campaign was deployed from within the theatre community, aggressively targeting those two actors named alongside me, members of the production team, the director of the production, not to mention everyday individuals who just simply expressed their delight at my return to mainstream theatre,” McLachlan said in a statement.

“The bullying even extends to my partner, Vanessa, and our friends and family. Make no mistake, this is bullying.

“In a sit-down meeting with key production personnel only days before the announcement, I made it very clear that I didn’t want my inclusion in the cast to negatively impact any of the other actors. Those two actors mentioned alongside me have been and continue to be harassed and bullied by their peers.

“I cannot and will not let my involvement in a show result in good people being targeted by trolls and bullies. I have therefore made the decision to withdraw from the production.”

Producer John Frost issued an apology for his casting decision.

“Craig McLachlan’s theatrical stage return wasn’t well received by some of the industry and public,” he said in a statement. “The resulting impact on others involved has prompted his withdrawal from the production. I have listened to the feedback and, as producer, whilst it was my initial casting decision, I understand the opposing sentiment and I am sorry for any distress this decision has caused.”

Whelan Browne responded to the news on Instagram.

“I love my industry. I love the fun and joy we get to share creating theatre. I love the way you rallied, wrote letters, check in on me, spoke up.

“Those who came before, those who know the pain, those who share the pain, thank you.

“But … it’s the younger generation who brings the most comfort. You bad bitches are afraid of nobody.

“You made me feel the last seven years wasn’t for nothing.”

One of McLachlan’s critics responded to the news by saying her overwhelming reaction was one of relief.

“I feel an enormous sense of relief that people’s opinions and the backlash that happened had an effect,” she said.

“It just shows you what can happen when people speak up and stand up and express their truth. When we stand together, it is really, really powerful.”

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