Same-sex kiss banned in Australian version of The Boy From Oz

[art2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:01am

It's interesting that the Australian producers of The Boy From Oz have banned the same-sex kiss between Peter Allen (played by Hugh Jackman) and his male partner. This kiss was in the Broadway version. It appears that Australia can be quite homophobic after all.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/boy-from-oz-gives-gay-kiss-a-miss/2006/08/05/1154198378605.html

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:09am

Oh my! Are any gay rights groups going ape ****?

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:16am

That's really ridiculous. If the audience was going to be offended by a same-sex kiss, then they wouldn't be seeing a gay-themed show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:16am

that sucks. the kiss between Hugh Jackman and Jarrod Emmick was HOT!

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:33am

Some Australians must be as backward as some people in the Bible belt! If they are going to see a show about a gay man, they should be able to accept a little intimacy.

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 02:33 AM

[alterego]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 3:41am

This is interesting as it was in the show before the Broadway version. I think as the article said, it has been "Disneyfied' for the Arena "family friendly" version. Updated On: 8/6/06 at 03:41 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 4:04am

Damn you Mel Gibson!

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 4:20am

Hugh should have insisted that it be kept in if it was in there before Broadway and on Broadway. And if it offends "family friendly" audiences to see two men kiss in a story about a gay man, then that's too bad.

[lfae]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 5:45am

Hey, we're not ALL that backward!

I find it odd because Dusty - which is still touring - has a kiss between two women...so the BFO decision makes no sense to me in that respect.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:00am

I think a kiss between two women is considered to be more acceptable to audiences than a kiss between two men. I don't know why that's so, but it seems to be the case. A few weeks ago on "Passions" (a daily TV soap opera), there was a long kiss between two girls. I don't think we would see the same thing between two men on US daytime TV anytime soon.


Soory. I didn't mean all Australians were backward. I've updated my earlier post.

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 06:00 AM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 7:42am

Trust me, the audiences were applauding the gay romance, and Bartlett's "I Honestly Love You" received a standing ovation on opening night. I don't understand why it was scrapped, but the loving gay relationship was evident for all to see...

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:07am

Let's not bury the lead here...

ART2 IS BACK! Oh, how I've missed you.

Snarkiness aside, I agree that it's absurd that this would be changed.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:23am

"It appears that Australia can be quite homophobic after all."

Or some producers/press agents/theatres concerned about selling to a "family" audience. I don't think you'd blame "America" for the decision of a theatre producer here. Let's not get crazy.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:27am

That is ridiculous! i am speechless. I just can't believe they would make a big fuss over a friggin kiss! It's not like they're gonna get busy down under. IT'S JUST A KISS PEOPLE!!!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:31am

Hi Art2 -

At last, something we can agree on.

[art2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:53am

Australia likes to say it is an open-minded place but it's all an act. If Americans want a good parallel for Australia, think Deep South. Not too long ago, gay-bashing was considered a sport in Australia.

By omitting the kiss, I think the producers of The Boy From Oz surrendered to this deep homophobia that exists in Australian society.


Updated On: 8/6/06 at 10:53 AM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:58am

This isn't an Australian thing its a producer choice.

This is just like us ignorant Americans to read "Australian" and blame the country and not the individuals.

[Fan2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:01am

I read that kisses with Liza were omitted also.

[art2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:02am

CapnHook,

My understanding is that many Australians refuse to even talk about Peter Allen's homosexuality, despite it being a big part of his life. It's as if they're embarrassed about it. The omission of the kiss reflects this.

[art2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:07am

Fan2,

Seriously, do you think Peter Allen even ever kissed Liza Minelli, except perhaps for public show? The fact is that the one real love of his life was a man. The producers of the Australian version seem to want to gloss over this.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:27am

Not all of "us ignorant Americans" do so CapnHook. Speak for yourself.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:43am

Well, Rocky Horror Show played there and was a hit before coming to America. Did they have a problem with a man saying he was a "Sweet transvestite"?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:50am

It's not really the same thing. Not all transvestites are homosexuals. Some heterosexual men like to dress up in woman's clothing.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:57am

Don't be so fast to jump in to blame the producers...the same producers had a massive hit with this show all over Australia as originally written WITH the kiss...long before it was in presented by them in NYC.

Word here in London theater circles is that it was Jackman who in the end vetoed the kiss for this current Australian tour (despite it being in on Broadway when he did the show there).

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 12:05pm

Nowhere in that article does it say the kiss was "banned" or that the producers refused to let the two actors kiss.It does not say that the audiences would not accept it. What is DOES say is that "Bartlett said he was not required to kiss Jackman". To me that implies the actor chose not to kiss Hugh. And says more about Bartlett than Australians in general.