Rocky Horror actor wants $2 million for sexual harassment
The Rocky Horror Show actor Christie Whelan Browne is seeking $2 million from the production company behind the 2014 hit show.
Whelan Brown alleges that Oldfield Entertainment failed to protect her from sexual harassment and sex discrimination allegedly perpetrated by co-star Craig McLachlan.
McLachlan denies any wrong doing.
Rocky Horror actor wants $2 million
Whelan Browne played Janet in the 2014 production of Rocky Horror.
She accuses Oldfield Entertainment of breaching the Sex Discrimination Act.
She wants the court to order the production company to pay her $1.5 million for general loss and damage.
The actor is also seeking a further $500,000 for aggravated damages.
Finally, she is seeking an order that Oldfield Entertainment, which is headed by prolific theatre producer John Frost, to issue an apology.
The Rocky Horror Show actor Christie Whelan Browne is seeking $2 million compensation.
Unwelcome and unscripted acts
McLachlan performed the lead role of Frank-N-Furter in the 2014 production of the show.
In newly-released court documents, Whelan Browne alleges that he engaged in unwelcome and unscripted acts on stage while hidden from the audience under a bedsheet.
The acts included kissing her breasts and touching her lower body.
“McLachlan’s repeated sexual advances and acts of a sexual nature caused her fear and repeated distress,” the documents state.
Moreover, the statement of claim says that Oldfield Entertainment had a duty to provide Whelan Browne with a safe place of work.
It alleges the company failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent its employees from engaging in unlawful conduct.
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Victimisation
Whelan Browne says the stage manager told her when she later complained about McLachlan:
“That is a very serious allegation. You should think about that more carefully before you take it any further.”
She also alleges she had a conversation with Frost about McLachlan’s behaviour but he subsequently took no steps to prevent similar conduct in the future.
Meanwhile, Whelan Browne says she has not been offered a job with Oldfield Entertainment since the end of 2014.
No more work
Meanwhile, Whelan Browne says Oldfield Entertainment has not offered her a job since the end of 2014.
Whelen Browne now says as a result of her complaints about McLachlan, her ability to perform and earn a living in musical theatre, her area of expertise, is “dramatically reduced”.
The court has ordered the parties to mediation on 12 December.
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