Same-sex kiss banned in Australian version of The Boy From Oz — Page 4

Art2,

It's because they used a different book - one that was closer to the original production than the one on Broadway. Partly because there was no need to show as much detail of Peter Allen's life as they did on Broadway - as the audience knew who and what Peter was all about. He was practically a national icon. Partly because the arena venue does not lend itself too much to intimate, dramatic scenes ( no matter that there are large screens ). The show laid greater emphasis on his music and engaging performing style. Just imagine a show being performed in Madison Square Garden and imagine what kind of entertainment would be most suitable there. Certainly not the same kind of show that you will see in an intimate Broadway house.

The arena show in Australia is a lot different from the Broadway book. There were many scenes that have been omitted - those depicting how the relationship between Peter and Liza developed and how the relationship between Peter and Greg developed included. No romantic kiss between Peter and Liza...no romantic kiss between Peter and Greg either.

Even the song where Greg and Peter are courting ( If You Were Wondering) in the Broadway book, was used differently - it introduced the young Peter in the story. It wasn't as if it was exactly the same scene as the one on Broadway and they simply omitted the kiss

The Peter-Liza courting song "Best That You Can Do" on Broadway was used in the arena version to highlight Peter's triumph in New York at the Radio City Music Hall.

Why did they then change the book - maybe that is your next question?

Maybe because the book on Broadway was pretty much panned by practically every critic in town...while the original production in Australia was well-loved. It was after all the most successful musical in Australia ever.

Did you see the show on Broadway at all?

Jo

An Australian critic called the number I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME the defacto finale of the show. And he wasn't very wrong either.

It was such an intense, poignant, and deeply patriotic moment - and I am not even Australian

Hang on a minute... Art2, your statement is ridiculous. such a sweeping generalisation can hardly be realistic. I've never been to America or Australia, but I'm sure if I said (and I could well do based on some of the portrayals that I've seen on tv) that:

The fact is that if you move a couple of miles out from the inner cities, America essentially becomes Hicksville. Americans tend to be awfully cliched, stereotypical, backward and phony. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if US's producers had this uppermost in mind when deciding to axe the kiss.

then I'd get slaughtered. You can't generalise across an entire country. That's like me saying that all Brits drink tea at 4pm everyday and have huge country piles or that all French people have underarm hair, BO, a string of onions around their necks, wear berets and walk along the Champs Elysees with a baguette under their arms munching on a lump of camembert.

I can't believe that this debate is even happening here. Peter Allen has long been loved in Australia. So they took the kiss out of this show, which btw, has a different book, so what? Do you honestly think that Australians don't know that Peter was gay?! They don't care! Give it a rest.

Well, I don't know about girls - they're not in my field of expertise. Us boys are very well-mannered. Just look at me being all suave and sophisticated in my picture.

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erinrebecca - I think it's a totally valid debate. It throws up lots of interesting topics. Obviously everybody agrees that art2 has been making completely ridiculous statements, but the debate of the kiss being removed is still a valid debate. I realise that there is a different book, but this phantom kiss or kiss that wasn't ever truly there anyway shows up some interesting points about producers and producers' decisions.

Maybe we should just create a new thread - "Is Theatre Affected By Homophobia In The Eagerness To 'Not Offend'"

That's probably where a debate lies, but at the moment the topic seems to have appeared here. C'est la vie.

camp_actor, I'm not disagreeing that the issue, in general, may be the cause for an interesting debate. However, the issue of the kiss in a story about Peter Allen, quite possibly the gayest performer ever , is moot. Also, for anyone in the good ole U.S. to be calling people in other countries homophobic is an example of likely the blackest pot and kettle in pot and kettle history.

If only I were as closeted as Peter Allen...
But then, I'd need to spend a FORTUNE on feather boas and sequins...

Updated On: 8/12/06 at 12:48 AM

You should see my gold pants!

Also, for anyone in the good ole U.S. to be calling people in other countries homophobic is an example of likely the blackest pot and kettle in pot and kettle history.

I just had to say it again.

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TIFF!!!
!!!
!!!

(*nods in agreement with rosscoe*)

Updated On: 8/12/06 at 02:46 AM

art2, Peter Allen was a friend of my grandmother for years. I even went to a couple of his performances when I was very young! Peter did not lead a closeted life, I have no idea where you got that idea but you're mistaken.