Actor Craig McLachlan has denied inappropriately touching feminine actors on stage in the course of the 2014 manufacturing of the Rocky Horror Present, the NSW Supreme court docket has heard.
The previous Neighbours star gave proof right this moment throughout a defamation trial he introduced on, claiming his private and professional repute was injured after the ABC and 9 newspapers printed studies containing allegations he sexually harassed and assaulted feminine colleagues in the course of the musical.
At present he instructed a jury he was "very pleasant" with all the circumstances and gave particulars of backstage shenanigans that occurred off stage, the place forged members usually touched, hugged and kissed.
He additionally instructed the court docket that one of many actresses who has accused him of inappropriate behaviour – Christie Whelan Browne – typically pulled crew members' pants down, gave them wedgies and poked individuals up the underside along with her fingers in an act he known as "goosing".
His proof got here after attorneys for the media shops instructed the jury they'd hear proof McLachlan sexually harassed and indecently assaulted 11 ladies throughout his profession – together with the sexually charged musical, Neighbours and The Physician Blake Mysteries.
Three ladies, who acted in a mattress scene with McLachlan in the course of the Rocky Horror Present, claimed that when he disappeared from the viewers's view behind a sheet, he both kissed their breasts, buttocks or again – one thing that wasn't a part of the script and made them "really feel uncomfortable".
McLachlan instructed the court docket he by no means kissed any of the actresses beneath their arms.
Barrister Michael Hodge QC instructed the jury they might count on to listen to the proof from one other girl who alleges she confronted McLachlan after he caught his tongue in her mouth on stage.
Hodge stated the lady will give proof about how McLachlan turned aggressive and instructed her if she ever spoke like that once more he would "finish her".
The trial is anticipated to run for 4 weeks with a collection of actors to provide proof together with Wolf Creek star John Jarratt.