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

#1

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

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

#2

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

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

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

#3

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

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.

#4

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

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

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

#5

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

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.

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"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions" ------- "Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu" from "Can't Stop The Music" ----- "When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth" ------------ --------- "Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.

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

#6

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

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

#7

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

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

Damn you Mel Gibson!

#8

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

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.

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"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions" ------- "Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu" from "Can't Stop The Music" ----- "When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth" ------------ --------- "Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.

#9

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

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.

#10

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

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.

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"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions" ------- "Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu" from "Can't Stop The Music" ----- "When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth" ------------ --------- "Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.

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

#11

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

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...

#12

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

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.

#13

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

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.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#14

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

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!!!

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#15

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

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

Hi Art2 -

At last, something we can agree on.

#16

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

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

#17

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

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.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#18

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

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

I read that kisses with Liza were omitted also.

#19

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

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.

#20

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

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.

#21

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

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

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

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#22

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

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"?

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"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey

#23

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

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.

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"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions" ------- "Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu" from "Can't Stop The Music" ----- "When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth" ------------ --------- "Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.

#24

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

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).

#25

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

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.

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PEACE.