You may recall a few weeks ago we reported that Lane Cove Theatre Company’s Holding the Man posters were been ripped down in Lane Cove. Well, last night the haters took it to a whole new level.
Holding the Man has been one of Lane Cove Theatre Company’s most successful plays and has a sold out season.
Holding the Man is based on Timothy Conigrave’s celebrated memoir of the same name, Tommy Murphy’s award-winning play is a breathtakingly honest, achingly funny and completely heart-wrenching account of a 15-year relationship that weathered disapproval, separation, temptation and, ultimately, death. It is a story – and a celebration – that speaks across generations, sexual preference and cultures.
Last night at the end of the performance for ‘Holding the Man’, audience members, cast and crew returned to their cars to discover their tyres had been slashed. To make it even more inconvenient two tyres were slashed on each car. At least 12 cars were attacked. It is possible that more cars were attacked and people drove home not knowing that their tyres had been slashed.
All the targetted cars were parked in front of the performance space venue.
The Police were called and on inspection indicated that it was most likely targetted and could be considered a hate crime.
Lochie Beh President of the Lane Cove Theatre Company stated:
In today’s society and especially in the Lane Cove community this behaviour needs to be condemned. Whether one supports the content of the play we are producing or not, this behaviour is unacceptable. Having our posters torn down is one thing, but being targeted by deliberate vandalism is quite another.
Not only were members of the audience targeted but some of these members travelled from interstate to see the show and had to then find accommodation for the evening, after midnight, after they had tried every avenue to repair the tires.
A sold out encore performance will take place this afternoon and Lane Cove Theatre Company will not be silenced. Please show your support by leaving a message on the Lane Cove Theatre Company’s Facebook page.
This is not acceptable behaviour. Freedom of speech is important. There is no doubt that the whole same sex marriage debate and plebiscite is fuelling the flames of hatred and making people take stands.
If you saw anything suspicious last night please contact Lower North Shore Area Command on 9414 8499
By the way….
- Do you think Lane Cove needs a commuter bus to assist people to access the Lane Cove shops during the Rosenthal Avenue Car Park redevelopment? You can answer our survey here.
- Do you want to find out who is running for the Local Government Elections on 9 September (and maybe ask them some questions on infrastructure?). Come along to our free Meet the Candidates forum on 31 August 2017. You can book here.
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