Star actor denies claims of sexual harassment
ACCLAIMED Australian actor Craig McLachlan has vigorously denied claims of indecent assault, sexual harassment, exposing himself and bullying female co-stars.
Best known for his roles in the Doctor Blake Mysteries, Neighbours and Home & Away – and currently on tour with The Rocky Horror Show in Adelaide – he told Fairfax Media in an email the claims were “baseless” and seemed “to be simple inventions, perhaps made for financial reasons, perhaps to gain notoriety”.
Fairfax Media and the ABC reported that a number of female cast members in the 2014 theatre production of Rocky Horror alleged they were abused, harassed or assaulted by him – allegedly “touching their genitalia”, “groping their breasts”, “exposing himself” and “pressing his penis against them”. Some of the actresses have also reportedly made claims to police.
Actress Erika Heynatz, who went to the police about McLachlan’s behaviour, reportedly described him as “really calculated and very manipulative, a predator”.
Musical theatre star Christie Whelan Browne alleged he indecently assaulted her during performances of the show.
Whelan Browne, who had to perform a sex scene with McLachlan on stage in
Rocky Horror, alleged she had to “swat him away” when he would kiss her behind a sheet on stage.
She explained there was nothing she could do at the time because she was onstage with 2000 people watching. She also alleged he made crude comments about her body and touched her inappropriately.
McLachlan denies her claims, describing the show as “a confrontational musical oozing with sexuality” and that as a result “actors have to perform certain actions”.
GFO, the producer of the current theatre production of The Rocky Horror Show, reportedly responded through lawyers that defamatory statements “may have been made regarding GFO, members of its management and also Mr McLachlan”.
Victoria Police said allegations of sexual offences dating back to 2014 were being investigated.
News Corp is not suggesting the claims are true, only that they have been made.