By Cydonee Mardon

Copyright news

“I don’t fully understand the motivation for that campaign,” Ford told news.com.au.

“If you want to take a stand and choose not to be involved or buy a ticket, that’s one thing. But to want to discourage it and stop others seems unfair to me. At what point is someone allowed to move on?”

Last Wednesday Crossroads Live announced that McLachlan had been cast as Colonel Mustard in a stage adaptation of the 1985 film Clue, based on the boardgame. But days later he stood down after fierce backlash to his casting.

Ford says Crossroads chief executive John Frost “knew there would be negative blowback and said he was prepared for it but he caved very rapidly and publicly”.

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“It’s all been such a saga for so long. People should always be able to go to work feeling safe and protected, but I do laugh when I see some of the ‘concerned citizens’ about Craig and his character – some of them working on or walking the red carpet for musicals and productions promoting stars who’ve been charged with serious offences.”

This sentiment is strongly echoed by drummer Dave Williams, who performs with McLachlan in his ‘Six String Stories’ gigs.

Williams recently revealed on Facebook that he’d been forced to avoid social media due to bullying, stating, “I haven’t been active much this week, as I’ve had to avoid SM to avoid being bullied myself… I know some of these disgusting trolls.

“I’ve deleted most from my page but have received private messages that weren’t nice.”

McLachlan’s career ground to a halt after colleagues from the 2014 Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show – including Christie Whelan Browne, Erika Heynatz and Angela Scundi – made allegations of sexual assault against him. The lead actor pulled out of the show and the drama moved to the courtroom.

In December 2020, after a highly-publicised trial, McLachlan, who played the “sweet transvestite” Frank-n-Furter, was found not guilty of seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault.

McLachlan took defamation proceedings against The Sydney Morning Herald – which originally reported the allegations – as well as the ABC and Browne but later withdrew from the case. In a statement, McLachlan said: “I cannot continue to place my family under that strain, and my own mental health will not withstand the continuing pressure.”

The Gold Logie winner became a shell of himself, avoiding public outings, using sunglasses, a cap and scarf over his face as a makeshift disguise when outdoor ventures were unavoidable.

Gradually he regained his confidence, his close friends say, and tested the waters playing guitar and singing at small-time gigs around the country.

He hoped an appearance on Channel Seven’s reality hit show SAS would reboot his acting career. In the background, a loyal band of fans kept his hopes of a return to the stage alive, regularly posting pictures and clips of their favourite scenes of him in Neighbours and as a detective in the Dr Blake Mysteries.

But McLachlan – and producer Frost – misjudged the power, influence and long memories of his detractors.

The much anticipated comeback – applauded by his army of social media fans – certainly didn’t stay on script. Within hours of the announcement McLachlan would be playing Colonel Mustard his detractors came out swinging.

In one corner was performer Queenie van de Zandt who wrote on Instagram that she was “shocked and disheartened by the casting of Craig McLachlan”, and that it sent the message that women’s voices have been dismissed.

Her post drew comments from other actors invited to audition for the production, saying they would “decline” now they knew McLachlan was involved.

TV host David Campbell put “clapping hands” on van de Zandt’s social media post denouncing McLachlan’s involvement, her commentary also drawing “likes” from singer Casey Donovan and actor Dan Macpherson. Whelan Browne took to Twitter, re-sharing a post calling McLachlan a “sleaze and a creep”.

The backlash was too much for Frost who said in a statement: “Craig McLachlan’s theatrical stage return wasn’t well received by some of the industry and public. 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.”

Browne posted on Instagram to thank those who “rallied, wrote letters, checked in on me, spoke up…You made me feel the last 7 years wasn’t for nothing.”

Supporters called her an inspiration, one expressing relief that “his career went under, not yours”.

Sources close to McLachlan say he was encouraged to step down from Cluedo, effectively given the chance to “fall on his sword”.

In a tearful post on Instagram though, he said he decided to stand down because he could not “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,” he stated. “Almost one week ago, an announcement was made that an Australian production of the much-loved play Cluedo was being mounted. In the hours and days that followed, a focused social media campaign was deployed from within the theatre community, aggressively targeting the two other actors named alongside me, members of the production team, the director of the production, and everyday individuals who simply expressed their delight at my return to mainstream theatre.

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

But the battle seems not over for McLachlan’s fans who seem less inclined to retreat as quickly as the actor did.

McLachlan’s social media pages are flooded with “likes” and supporting comments and the hashtag #WeStandWithCraigMcLachlan.

American singer, songwriter and actress Debbie Gibson posted on McLachlan’s Instagram page that she “mourned the loss of people’s kindness, integrity and lack of compassion and judgement”. “I’m so sorry you had to withdraw from the show and that people got targeted … you included,” she wrote. “None of this is right and I am so sorry … Come across the pond and do a show with me and my theatre friends. We’d love to have ya!”

Fellow theatre actor Steve Judkins said that as someone who had worked with McLachlan over 35 years, the actor was loved and respected by those who actually know him.

“And to those haters out there grow up and quit with the tall poppy crap and get on with your own lives,” he added. Radio Hosts Jonesy and Amanda also invited public debate on whether McLachlan has done his time and should be allowed to make a living, further highlighting the public division.

Ford reflected on the broader implications, noting: “It’s all been a very sad tale for so many years. I hope – but I’m not certain – something good has come out of it in the workplace both for people who have a need to complain and anyone accused. The major characters in this story didn’t have that and it’s taken a horrible toll on everyone.”

As one supporter wrote: “Craig McLachlan has spent 8 long years in limbo. Being cleared of all charges should have meant he could resume his life. But no ….. a few horrid people want to wipe him out completely.” Another said “the social media lynch mob are set on ruining his livelihood”.

Just as fierce in the opposing corner are commentators who say the casting decision was “dangerous and shameful” and “sense has prevailed”.

Whether McLachlan’s “return to work” will eventually pass the pub test remains to be seen but one thing’s for certain – fighters both for and against the one-time Neighbours heartthrob won’t lay down and surrender.