Stars speak up for gays' right to marry

Actors Jennifer Ward-Lealand (left) and Robyn Malcolm were part of the local cast for the only New Zealand performance of the play. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A host of celebrities showed their support for gay and lesbian rights at a one-off New Zealand performance of the play 8 last night.

Written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Black - author of the Milk and J. Edgar film scripts - 8 is based on the American court trial brought about by Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot initiative which banned same-sex marriages in the state of California.

After it was passed into law in November that year, the American Foundation for Equal Rights (Afer) filed a case, Perry v. Brown (formerly known as Perry v Schwarzenegger) in the Federal District Court challenging Proposition 8 and the ban it imposed on gay and lesbian couples.

In August 2010, a judge ruled in favour of Afer, finding Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional.

The play is based on transcripts and first-hand observations from the trial, and interviews with the individuals and families of those involved in the case.

It has been performed in several cities including New York, Los Angeles and Melbourne. Actors from each city sign on to be a part of the play, which is performed only once in each place.

George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Jamie Lee Curtis were some of the stars involved in the Los Angeles performance in April.

Last night's 21-strong cast included such well-known NZ performers as Robyn Malcolm of Outrageous Fortune, Ben Barrington of Almighty Johnsons and comedian Raybon Kan.

Celebrities invited to the reading, held at Auckland's Maidment Theatre, included Hottest Home Baker judge Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Shortland Street star Shavaughn Ruakere.

Tickets to the play were available at no cost and had all gone by last Friday.

People were asked to donate a small amount for attending, with proceeds going to Rainbow Youth - a support group for young homosexuals - and Afer.

The case, regarded as a legal landmark in the United States, is expected to be the subject of an appeal to the Supreme Court in Washington.