8
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre,
219 Exhibition Street, city
When: June 8
Call: 132 849
Visit: hmt.com.au
A BEVY of Australian stars tackles the marriage equality debate head-on next week when Her Majesty’s Theatre hosts a one night only staging of critically acclaimed play, 8.
Magda Szubanski, Daniel McPherson and Shane Jacobson lead a stellar cast in this staged reading of Milk scribe Dustin Lance Black’s play about the Californian legal debate, which overturned same sex couples’ right to marry with Proposition 8.
The LA original featured a host of A-listers, including Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and went on to Broadway with Morgan Freeman. Momo Films producer and former Secret Life of Us actor Spencer McLaren caught it online via Australian Marriage Equality (AME) and knew instantly that he and business partner Kate Whitbread had to bring it to Australia.
“You might think California state law isn’t remotely relevant,’’ says McLaren. “But the sad news is it’s almost identical to the ACT situation, where they legalised gay marriage and John Howard overturned that by changing the definition of marriage to be between a man and a woman. It’s the same, except with Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
McLaren and Whitbread felt compelled to fight back, and say the Melbourne staging is about putting fear and prejudice on trial.
“We’re angry,’’ says Whitbread. “A very good friend of mine passed away suddenly before he could marry his partner. He asked for no flowers at the funeral because he wanted all the money to go to AME. That’s why we want to do this play.”
It seems they’re not alone, with many high-calibre actors falling over themselves to get involved, and donating their time with all proceeds going to AME’s campaign.
McLaren and Whitbread take a turn too. “I play Charles Cooper, the guy defending Proposition 8, who was played by Kevin Bacon in LA,” McLaren says.
“I thought it would be interesting to step in the other side’s shoes, because there’s no point in screaming at people saying ‘you’re wrong’. This play is all about leaving you armed with something to discuss.
“Julia Gillard’s party’s position is pro [marriage equality], so if this truly is her personal opinion, then she needs to see this show. We’ll leave a seat for her, and one for Tony too. Cheap seats though, up the back.”
