Vanessa Scammell

What happened to Craig was akin to a Salem witch hunt, the merciless shutting out and cancellation of a man who could be described as a tall poppy, a vicious and relentless pylon where friendships were shattered, trust was lost and faith in humanity crushed.

What isn't well known is that throughout this ordeal and prior to it, I was present.

I toured with Craig on the 2014 Rocky Horror Show, which is when the alleged incidents were said to have occurred.

I was present in the theatre on an almost daily basis.

In fact, I was part of the extended theatre family.

I was a constant visitor to his dressing room backstage during this production, and I witnessed regular friendly visits to Craig from cast members who made these allegations.

I saw firsthand the joking, the friendships, the cheekiness and the fun that was part of the backstage culture of the Rocky Horror Show.

After these catastrophic allegations were aired and published in 2018, almost four years after the Rocky tour of 2014 had ended, our lives changed forever.

In the carnage that was wreaked, I took on the role of managing Craig's case.

I attended each and every court appearance, Zoom call, Teams meeting, briefing.

I participated in each and every phone call, interview, road trip, nervous breakdown, calamity, broken friendship and, ultimately, I was there for Craig's victory.

For the first time, you will hear my account of what unfolded when on January 8, 2018, a press story was released that obliterated the life we once knew.

Craig!

Hey!

Craig and I stopped mid-sentence and looked up as our good friend and colleague, Christy Whelan-Brown, bounded out of a Sydney cafe towards us and into our arms.

We had been walking up Maclay Street towards our regular gym in King's Cross.

We had been deep in discussion, going through each of our travel logistics for the weeks ahead.

I was about to head off on a concert tour whilst Craig was due to start rehearsals in Melbourne for his fourth tour of the Rocky Horror Show, starring as the sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania, Dr Frankenfurter.

Ness?

Craig?