Craig McLachlan’s Career In Tatters Signals An Industry In Desperate Need Of Change - Noise11.com
Craig McLachlan, Rocky Horror show, Frank N furter

Craig McLachlan as Frank N Furter, Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Craig McLachlan’s Career In Tatters Signals An Industry In Desperate Need Of Change

by Paul Cashmere on January 9, 2018

in News,Noise Pro

Sexual misconduct allegations against entertainer Craig McLachlan have signalled the urgent need for the Australian entertainment industry to clean its act up.

The level of abuse, which surfaced with television star Don Burke following the U.S. scandals with Harry Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, is just the tip of this iceberg. The Australian entertainment industry (and I mean music, radio, television, theatre … everything) has got away with bullying and abuse for far too long.

McLachlan is the latest celebrity to be outed for sexual misconduct. He won’t be the last. It also isn’t just be about celebrities. Executives will fall one by one this year as news of a destructive culture continues to surface. This is not about the abuse of sex, it is about the abuse of power.

In McLachlan’s case a number of warning signs were ignored. Fellow Rocky Horror star Christie Whelan Browne is a major name in Australian theatre. She is arguably a bigger name in theatre than McLachlan but he has tabloid celebrity in his favour fuelling his ego. The fact she has put her name forward in this latest scandal will make a sometimes grubby industry take notice.

A lot of this is about a star’s ego and the gutless management who allow them to get away with it. The ABC heard how Browne and fellow actors Angela Scundi and Erika Heynatz did complain about McLachlan’s behaviour but their complaints were ignored (and now even denied).

McLachlan’s and Rock Horror Show producers The Gordon Frost Organisation have “mutually agreed it is not appropriate for him to continue in the current production of the show”.

McLachlan also stars in the TV series ‘The Doctor Blake Mysteries’. Production of the next season of the show has also been suspended despite no complaints ever being received about McLachlan or any other cast member during production of the five previous seasons.

The toxic work culture in the entertainment industry means the workings of the industry needs an immediate review. Part of McLachlan’s excuse for his behaviour on the Rocky Horror Show was about taking the role-play of his character Dr Frank-n-Furter too far. Maybe, but the producers of the show (and many other entertainment executives clearly do not have the right guidelines in place to make a production or show safe for all employees.

Craig McLachlan’s career is toast, at least for the time being. However, there are a lot more ‘Craig McLachlan’s’ out there. Some will question their actions as a result of this and make amends. Others will continue to offend until there are called out. The clean-up has begun but it will take a long time to clear out the muck still within the entertainment business.

Noise11.com

Related Posts

Kurt Cobain, music news, noise11.com
New Kurt Cobain Documentary Marks 30th Anniversary of His Death

A new BBC documentary aims to "demystify" the tragic death of Kurt Cobain - 30 years after his death rocked the world.

17 hours ago
Tim and Neil Finn I See Red rehearsals in LA 2004
Split Enz Fans, Watch The Finn Brothers Rehearse ‘I See Red’

Split Enz/Crowded House archivist Peter Green has offered up another rare fine, Tim and Neil Finn rehearsing their Split Enz classic ‘I See Red’ in Los Angeles in 2004.

2 days ago
Jamiroquai photo by Ros OGorman
There Is Activity In The Jamiroquai Camp

Jamiroquai have reunited to work on their first album in eight years.

2 days ago
Jason Singh
Jason Singh Wins Two Year Taxiride Trade Mark Battle Against Fellow Band Members

Taxiride co-founder Jason Singh has won a two-year legal battle against fellow bandmates Tim Watson and Tim Wild over the Taxiride Trade Mark.

3 days ago
Madonna, Rod Laver Arena Rebel Heart Tour. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Madonna To End Celebration Tour With Free Concert In Brazil

Madonna is set to end her Celebration Tour with a free concert in Brazil.

3 days ago
Sean Diddy Combs, music news, noise11.com
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Home Raided By Feds

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' homes have been raided by federal agents, and his sons have been handcuffed outside his LA property.

3 days ago
Courtney Love - Photo by Ros O'Gorman.
Courtney Love To Present Championship Women Show For BBC

Courtney Love has landed a series championing women in music for BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds.

3 days ago