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

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 7:33am

It was only coincidental that he was.

I think I just wee'd a little. What exactly did Peter Allen's gayness coincide with, Jo?

I don't know what I think about this. Having only ever seen a bad person DVD of TBFO on Broadway I can't comment about either production. I don't really understand why they would want to take the kiss out at all - it was a really beautiful moment in the show. Not intended to be erotic or titilating or shocking, it was just a beautiful moment that climaxed the scene. Why anybody would want to take that out, I don't know.

But, as I said before, I haven't properly seen either production so I really have no place to comment.

[jo]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 7:46am

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

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 7:55am

O right! It's a completely different show...that makes more sense. I really loved what I saw on the Dirty-Naughty-Bad-People DVD I saw of it, and would love to see it done in a different way...even if the pictures of the Australian Liza frighten me a little!

I'd love to see the crowd in that arena when he sings "I Still Call Australia Home".

[jo]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 8:08am

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

[art2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 8:41am

paradox_error,

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

[algy]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:22am

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.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:32am

That's like me saying that all Brits drink tea at 4pm everyday and have huge country piles

We do.

What's the argument here?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:41am

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.

[algy]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:44am

That's like me saying that all Brits drink tea at 4pm everyday and have huge country piles

We do.

What's the argument here?

Hmmmm. True. I'll revise that - all british girls go to boarding school, have their own ponies, hunt, shoot, fish and have a season in London when they hit 18.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:54am

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.

<-----------

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:55am

Yes stereotypes are somewhat based on reality, but since when are Australians stereotypically homophobic?

And besides, this show is in the CENTRE OF THE BIG CITIES. Which, as art2 has said, are the NON-HOMOPHOBIC SECTIONS.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:59am

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]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:05am

paradox_error - not to argue with you, because I'm on your side with the argument. I was joking with the stereotype thing, Brits don't drink tea at 4pm...in fact, I don't even drink tea - *shock horror*. You may say I'm adopted from Romany Gypsies, but I tell you I'm not. It's coffee all the way baby. And most of us live much like you do. Strange as it may seem!

Also, I'm sure there's probably homophobia even in the city centres. There usually is. Evil is everywhere.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:11am

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.

[art2]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 12:14am

erinrebecca,

I think the banning of the kiss is a very important issue. It suggests that Australians are homophobic, pure and simple. And many of them are. You just don't read about it in the glossy brochures they put out about the country.

Put it this way: the same type of Australian homophobia that caused the kiss to be eliminated is the same type of Australian homophobia that forced Peter Allen to live a closeted life.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 12:48am

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

[gettinhep]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:00am

Ooh, Doxy in sequins!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:18am

You should see my gold pants!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:42am

I'm not going to say that art2 doesn't go overboard with his diatribes, but some of the other comments in this thread are pretty depressing to me. I don't know the reason why the kiss isn't in the Aussie version, but in general whenever someone says something like "well, the relationship still comes across anyway" in regards to this kind of situation, I understand what they mean, but that's still pretty much bullsh*t. I'm sorry, but in 2006, it's just sad to me that people will still try to justify it being okay for gay relationships not to be depicted in an equal way. Yes, people are still uncomfortable about homosexuality, but it's certainly not going to kill a show, especially one starring Hugh Jackman, to include a kiss between two men.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 2:13am

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.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 2:43am

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

Art2,

I take back what i said earlier, "YOU ARE THE DUMBIEST PERSON ON THE PLANET",

And you my be the reason why some people on this earth hate Americans.

Grow up you DICKHEAD.

Just one last thing, you are not welcome in my country!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 2:46am

TIFF!!!
!!!
!!!

(*nods in agreement with rosscoe*) Updated On: 8/12/06 at 02:46 AM

[art2]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 4:36am

Mr Midwest,

Well said. It never ceases to amaze the lengths to which some will go to justify the omission of the kiss.


Rosscoe,

Don't assume to know where I'm from.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 1:03pm

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.

[art2]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:06pm

http://www.afterelton.com/columns/2006/8/11.html

The above address will take you to a very funny article about the banning of the same-sex kiss in the Australian production of The Boy From Oz.