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Shane Crawford is BLASTED after AFL legend lands role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as musical theatre industry label move ‘offensive’ and ‘disheartening’
- Shane Crawford has been blasted for accepting a role in a Melbourne musical
- AFL legend will play Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- The musical theatre industry labelled the move ‘offensive’ and ‘disheartening’
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The musical theatre industry has blasted the decision to hand Shane Crawford a role in one of the world’s most iconic shows, despite the AFL legend boasting no acting experience.
The Hawthorn champion is set to make his theatre debut in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during the Melbourne season of the popular musical comedy by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Crawford will play the role of the Pharaoh. Australian icon Jason Donavan played the same character in the London version of the production.
Shane Crawford has been blasted after landing a role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Melbourne
‘To be offered an opportunity like this is amazing. I have done so many different things in my sporting and media career, but I have never performed in a musical, and I can’t wait!’ Crawford said via The Age.
‘To be given the chance to be on stage, working with so many talented performers, entertaining an audience will be a huge buzz.
‘Playing the role of the Pharaoh in this new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is going to be fun – and a little daunting. Bring on the rehearsals.’
However, the casting of Crawford ahead of a legion of actors who have spent years fine-tuning their craft has led to frustration from the musical theatre industry.
The AFL legend will play Pharaoh despite boasting no acting experience beforehand
The musical theatre industry has lambasted the decision and said it was a ‘blatant stunt’
‘Incredibly disappointing but not at all surprised,’ Melbourne-based composer Samantha Andrew said.
‘It just sends such a disheartening message to performers who have dedicated their lives to this industry, battled through all the heartbreaking steps to even get into an audition room, and then you see these roles going to someone who played AFL once.
‘Hawthorn isn’t signing Lucy Durack (Wicked, Legally Blonde: The Musical), it’s offensive to the industry in that it’s essentially saying, “Oh no, you don’t need the training to do this; anyone can do it.”
‘This just confirms everything we’ve long suspected about where our priorities lie in this country,’ she added.
‘It speaks really highly to how important sport is considered over the arts, and I think that’s an added layer of frustration.’
Michelle Rae, the director of performers union MEAA Equity, said the organisation ‘is aware of concerns raised by our members’ in the wake of the Crawford casting.