Same-sex kiss banned in Australian version of The Boy From Oz — Page 2

"Seriously, do you think Peter Allen even ever kissed Liza Minelli, except perhaps for public show?"

ummmmm yes! they were with each other for 7 years, no?

Australia has had many hit plays with gay themes and gay characters...this should normally be no problem...nor was it a problem with the original production of this particular show there.

And, come on, an actor in a secondary role doesn't get to make such a call...he can easily be recast if he doesn't do what is expected of the role.

The reasons lie elsewhere, not with the expectations, prejudices, or preferences of the Australian public. The whole story isn't being told - so the nation as a whole shouldn't be accused or condemned. The whole thing is a pity though because it gives people an opportunity to bash Australia and Australians.

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 01:25 PM

And, come on, an actor in a secondary role doesn't get to make such a call...he can easily be recast if he doesn't do what is expected of the role.

I didn't mean that he necessarily would, but if he is perfect for the role and his only problem was the kiss the producers might say, "Hey, you are the actor we want, so let's cut the kiss."

I just think people were pretty quick to judge the Producers and Australians for something that may have had to do with the actor involved. Again, the article didn't say anything about the Producers demanding the kiss be cut.

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Whatever the reason, it's as good as a ban. This should tell you plenty about Australia's attitude to it. They don't want to "sully" their icon Allen. Shame on Australia and the producers.

Do you guys mind not lumping all Australians in as homophobic jerks? Because this thread is quite insulting to read, considering I'm Australian and would be in favour of the kiss having been kept in. I would have no problem with it whatsoever, and most of the people I know wouldn't either.

Sure, there are homophic people in this country... like in every country! Please don't get up on your high horses and put every Australian down as if we're horrible people, ten thousand years behind you all.

For whatever reason, it's not in this production. I have read several articles saying that there wasn't, in fact, a same-sex kiss in the original Australian production. It was added to the New York show.

I do agree that it should have been left in. I think it is important to not "shy" away from open affection between gay couples - on screen, on stage, whatever. I'm sure people who are going to see this show know what it's about, so I don't see why people would be "shocked".

But it's just a shame that we Australians have all suddenly got a bad rep for a decision that was in the hands of - ultimately - the producers and people involved with the show. You can say it was pressure from public opinion or feelings all you want, but you can't tell me that if they had really wanted to, they could have been stubborn about it and insisted it be included.

Peter Allen was an out and out (no pun intended) icon in Australia for many, many years...he was almost universally revered there.

Whereas in America, he was a cult star, in Australia he was a national icon long after he had moved to the U.S.

"I Still Call Australia Home" was considered by many in Oz to be the second Australian national anthem.

And about the producers : Robert Fox is British, Ben Gannon is Australian.

Mel Gibson is actually an American. He grew up as an Ozzy. Anyways Australia is a very homophobic and racist country. Like seemingly everywhere else in the world people just can't get along. Tolerance is only a dream.

What do you expect when you have John Howard as Prime Minister?

And mejusthavingfun; you are generalizing a lot with that statement. Australia isn't any more racist or homophobic as America; it varies and basically depends on the city and the people.

I just came back from Sydney, having seen four performances of THE BOY FROM OZ. The show is not meant for an intimate theatre stage - and many of the dramatic elements, no matter how shortened for this production ( to give more time for the dazzling production numbers, I guess) , were very effectively heightened. Judy was portrayed in her last and worst years. Liza was also the much older Liza and whose Bob Fosse number was electrifying. Peter's relationship with his overprotective Mum was likewise well-sketched. And the relationship with Greg Connell, while likewise only briefly included in the book, was well portrayed - and I didn't think a kiss would have been necessary to improve the portrayal. It started on a more playful note ( compared to the Broadway production) when they first met. When the song I HONESTLY LOVE YOU was so poignantly sung, there was just the two men onstage ( think 4 - 6 times the size of the stage of the Imperial - with 10,000 or more people watching it!) and it was very moving.

On a lighter note - in last night's last performance in Sydney someone shouted in the crowd " KISS HIM!!" right after Peter and Greg met. Everybody laughed with such enjoyment in the whole arena -LOL! So, I don't think there was anything homophobic about the crowd's attitude.

Later on, Hugh playfully chastised the crowd -- " Okay, who shouted KISS HIM?!!!" Which drew another galeful of laughter. Hugh said something like what can you expect from certain newspapers ( it was front page story on THE TELEGRAPH - LOL!) - quite indignantly ...He was excellent on the repartee and the crowds loved him.

More about my impressions of the show later.

Jo

Updated On: 8/7/06 at 11:34 AM

Well it would seem Jo's description - from someone who has actually seen the show - put's this whole argument into perspective. It wasn't necessary and really made no difference to the show.

In the before Broadway Australian production Peter and Greg didn't kiss. Instead, when Greg was coming back as a ghost (having already died of HIV/AIDS), they came close as if to kiss then Greg "passed thru" Peter when they went to embrace. It was just beautiful. Marvelous effect.

If Hugh Jackman was opposed to doing the same-sex kiss, then seriously he needs to reconsider his role in the production. The whole thing smells like homophobia.

As for whether all Australians are homophobic, of course that's not the case. However, the culture there is geared towards what is known as "poofter bashing". This is slang for physically attacking gay people, especially gay men. Although this has changed somewhat in recent years, gay men in Australia are still marginalized into ghettoes and not accepted in the mainstream. The newspapers are largely owned by Rupert Murdoch, and can be very homphobic in their editorials eg Sydney's Daily Telegraph.