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.
