PLAYING ROCK HUDSON Coming to Sydney Stage

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 Cameron Lukey, playwright and co-director of the new work.

Shortly after Hudson's death, his former lover Marc Christian sued the actor's estate for reckless endangerment, claiming that Hudson lied about 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 epi- demic 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 choose 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, the conversation will reignite awareness, action and acceptance."

Following a successful season of Playing Rock Hudson at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Left Bauer productions was formed to present popular and original theatrical works that are daring but accessible, relevant regardless of subject, and a little left of centre. Their most recent production was a sellout, critically acclaimed season of Terrence McNally's Master Class at fortyfivedownstairs in Melbourne.

After the sudden closing of Tap Gallery and cancellation of Playing Rock Hudson in October, the whole cast and creative team are thrilled to have another chance at bringing Playing Rock Hudson to Sydney, and to be a part of Red Line Productions' first season at the Old Fitzroy Theatre.