Prop 8 play coming to Australia

Prop 8 play coming to Australia

The new play by Academy Award-winning gay screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk and J. Edgar) is to be staged in Australia featuring an all-star local cast.

Shane Jacobson, Lisa McCune, Daniel MacPherson, and Spencer McLaren have all been announced as taking part in 8, with more actors expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Directed by Bruce Myles, the Australian readings of 8 will follow the critically acclaimed New York and L.A. readings led by industry heavyweights Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Martin Sheen.

The play is an unprecedented account of the US Federal Court case where pro and anti-gay marriage foes faced off over the Proposition 8 ballot measure which stripped gay and lesbian couples of the freedom to marry in California.

“We felt compelled to bring 8 to the Australian stage after experiencing the L.A reading,” producer Kate Whitbread said.

“It is remarkable how universal the issue is and how we all need to stand together for what is right.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming support and generosity of the community in getting this play to the stage.  It is going to be a spectacular and important night and definitely one not to be missed.”

Dustin Lance Black said that people needed to witness what happened in the Proposition 8 trial, if for no other reason than to see inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law where truth and facts matter.

“The goal of 8 is to show the world that marriage equality is a basic constitutional right,”he said.

The one-night-only special events in Melbourne and Sydney will coincide with the handing down of the Senate’s findings from the current inquiry on same-sex marriage in Australia.

All profits from the staged reading will support Australian Marriage Equality (AME) and their fight to end marriage discrimination in Australia.

“We only have a few months to change the minds of about 30 undecided MPs,” AME’s Alex Greenwich said.

“The awareness and funds raised by this event will be vital to achieving marriage equality.”

INFO: 8 will be staged in Melbourne on June 8 at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Sydney on June 9 at the Sydney Town Hall.

BOOKINGS:  From May  7 via www.showbiz.com.au

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3 responses to “Prop 8 play coming to Australia”

  1. watch for the possibility of livestreaming it. they did so here, so we at home could watch it as it happened, unlike the actual trial which the homophobes fought to keep hidden and won. 8 is dustin lance black’s response to that sequestration.

  2. Sad to see that the play won’t be coming to Perth. I’d see it if it was.

  3. …Of course, let’s put aside the irony that if Australia had the Californian system of government it probably would already have gay marriage…