Dan Ilic, the creator of Beaconsfield: A Musical in A-Flat Minor has backed away from his controversial work by shortening the title to Beaconsfield; the Musical.
Ilic’s backdown, posted on the up-and-coming comic’s website, came after he was forced to respond to criticism from Larry Knight’s father-in-law and survivor Todd Russell.
The musical comedy will make its debut as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival tomorrow night.
But Mr Knight's father-in-law Phil Stevenson says he was incensed by the title.
"He's a sick bastard whoever has done this," Mr Stevenson said.
Survivor Todd Russell said the title alone was a poor attempt to portray a disaster in a humorous light and showed no respect to Mr Knight's widow Jacquie and her family.
But Mr Ilic has told LIVENEWS.com.au the show is not disrespectful to either the late Larry Knight or the two survivors.
“The play is actually all about the poor way the mine was managed and the hypocrisy of the media response to mine management,” he said.
“This play is actually very much on the side of the workers and very much on the same side of the miners and the relatives.
“We actually treat Larry Knight very respectfully.”
He also took aim at Todd Russell for claiming that the disaster should be left alone.
“While there are 112 heroes of Beaconsfield – the rescuers – there’s only room for two on Oprah’s couch,” he said.
“They could have avoided being celebrities, but once you start doing Oprah and those big shows, that’s a choice they decided to make.
“I actually feel sorry for those guys that they think bad about the show, but when they see the show they’ll totally understand.
“I’m sure once they see the show they’ll find it funny and satirical as well.”