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PLAYING ROCK HUDSON at the Tap

Paul Dawson as Rock Hudson and Mark Taylor as Marc Christian. Pic Ann Marie Calihanna
Paul Dawson as Rock Hudson and Mark Taylor as Marc Christian. Pic Ann Marie Calihanna

A new Australian play depicts the mystery and controversy surrounding the final years of cinematic icon Rock Hudson.

One of America’s most popular movie stars throughout the fifties and sixties, Rock Hudson died of AIDS in 1985, making world headlines as the first celebrity to publicly succumb to the disease.

“PLAYING ROCK HUDSON is not another celebrity biography, but rather a close look at the final days of Rock Hudson’s life, the events that followed his death, and the impact they had on his image and society in general,” says playwright and co-director Cameron Lukey.

Shortly after Hudson’s death, his former lover Marc Christian sued the actor’s estate for reckless endangerment, claiming that Hudson withheld the true nature of his diagnosis for the last year of their relationship

During Christian’s lawsuit, the most intimate details of Hudson’s life came under scrutiny, and the outcome of the case has since informed American and Australian legislation on the issue of HIV status disclosure.

“This is not a generational play”, says Lukey. “Beyond its impact on the history of the AIDS epidemic and queer culture, Rock Hudson’s story also reflects our current obsession with celebrity rumours and the outing of public figures. Who is hiding in the closet and who will be the next to come out.”

“There are still important questions surrounding why people chose to hide their sexuality or HIV status, and Hudson remains the ultimate example of what celebrities have to lose by coming out.”

“Hudson’s death left a profound impact on the world by inspiring a call to action, but even in today’s age of enlightenment, this is still a very current and relevant story.” Producer Michele Bauer states.

“It is a story about legacy, personal responsibility, the cult of celebrity, embracing people for who they are and fear of disease. Hopefully with more stories like PLAYING ROCK HUDSON being told and promoted, the conversation will reignite awareness, action and acceptance,” says Bauer.

Bauer and Lukey’s company Left Bauer aims to present popular and original theatrical works that are daring but accessible, relevant regardless of subject, and a little left of centre.

PLAYING ROCK HUDSON at the Tap Gallery follows a successful season at the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne, and Left Bauer’s most recent production, a sell out, critically acclaimed season of Terrence McNally’s Master Class at fortyfivedownstairs. The production is proudly supported by ACON and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.

A Left Bauer production written by Cameron Lukey and co-directed by Lukey with Jason Langley, PLAYING ROCK HUDSON is playing the Tap Gallery, 45 Burton Street, Darlinghurst between the 5th and 23rd November Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm and one Saturday matinee on November 15 at 4pm.

For more information visit the Company’s official website at www.leftbauerproductions.com.