The theatre group says it has a safety plan to ensure everyone involved in the play is looked after. Photo: Unsplash / Barry Weatherall
Warning: This story contains details of sexual assault.
A theatre production currently on stage in Wellington stars a convicted rapist, and the theatre company is standing by its decision to cast him.
Harrison Stuart Nicol, who now goes by Harrison Stuart, was in 2021 convicted of raping Jessica Te Wiata in 2016.
He plays the lead in the Wellington Repertory Theatre's production of Murdered to Death, which opened on 20 March and runs until 30 March.
The theatre group has stood by its call to cast Stuart, because it said it had a safety plan to ensure everyone involved in the play was looked after.
"As a volunteer community theatre group, we take our obligation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the cast and crew involved in our productions extremely seriously," president Paul Stone said in a statement.
The cast and crew were consulted on the "comprehensive risk management plan," and so far there had been no notification that it had been breached, he said.
"While we understand the concerns that have been raised, we stand by our casting decision on the grounds that any risk is being actively managed and our belief that well-managed reintegration into community activities can ultimately play a constructive role in a situation like this."
But reporting by Stuff has revealed fellow actors have raised concerns about that casting, saying his return to the stage and associated promotion has caused "distress", and he should be blacklisted from the performing arts.
The safety plan - which included banning Stuart from being alone with anyone, or drinking alcohol before or during interacting with the cast and crew - was not enough to ensure people's protection, they said.
Rape survivor Jessica Te Wiata said she was grateful they had spoken up, especially because her attacker had not accepted responsibility for his actions.
The 2021 sentencing notes from Judge Peter Butler referred to Stuart's "continued denial of any offending".
Stuart has been approached for comment.
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