Australian actress accuses theatre company of sex discrimination over Rocky Horror Show

Australian actress Christie Whelan Browne has accused a theatre company of sex discrimination over her appearance in musical The Rocky Horror Show.

Whelan Browne, 40, said she has lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission over the 2014 show, produced by what was then the Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO).

In a social media post Whelan Browne accused the company of "sexual discrimination, unsafe conditions at work, breaching its duty of care towards her, failing to meet work health and safety standards and permitting another employee to engage in sex discrimination and sexual harassment."

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In 2020, actor Craig McLachlan was found not guilty of allegations he indecently assaulted four women during the Melbourne stage production of the Rocky Horror Show.

Whelan Browne said she tried to address the situation privately but has "no choice" but to make this move.

"It's disappointing that I've been forced to take this step, having tried but failed on a number of occasions to have GFO properly address my complaints," she said.

"I do this knowing that it will subject me to further attacks online and in the media, but also knowing that I have no choice.

"I am determined to stand up for myself."

In May 2022, actor McLachlan dropped his defamation case against Nine newspapers, the ABC and Whelan Browne.

McLachlan was suing the ABC and Nine newspapers for publishing sexual harassment allegations from his time acting in The Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014.

Whelan Browne is better known to wider audiences for her role on ABC comedy Mad as Hell.

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