Once the most revered philanthropist in New Zealand arts, James Wallace’s world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault.
After the emergence of more victims and a six-year legal battle, Wallace was convicted of multiple crimes, no longer able to keep name suppression and stripped of his knighthood.
The case raised major legal questions about the justice system, its treatment of abuse victims and name suppression laws.
It also forced the arts sector to examine whether it had turned a blind eye to Wallace’s offending, in return for millions of dollars worth of patronage.
Featuring new in-depth interviews, including Wallace’s only media interview since conviction, this is the story of his rise and fall, crimes and punishment - and his survivors.
Warning: The Artful Dodger podcast contains references to sexual abuse. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.
Written, hosted and produced by Kate Langdon and Philippa Tolley. Sound design, audio editing and mixing by Connor Scott. Additional sound recording by John Ropiha. Assistant producer: Jen Black. Visual design: Yasin Karadeniz. Legal: Charlotte Foster. Executive producer: Chris Reed. Special thanks: Catrin Owen, Edward Gay, Matt Slaughter, Elmo Johnstone and Laura Heathcote.
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Once the most revered philanthropist in New Zealand arts, James Wallace’s world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault.
After the emergence of more victims and a six-year legal battle, Wallace was convicted of multiple crimes, no longer able to keep name suppression and stripped of his knighthood.
The case raised major legal questions about the justice system, its treatment of abuse victims and name suppression laws.
It also forced the arts sector to examine whether it had turned a blind eye to Wallace’s offending, in return for millions of dollars worth of patronage.
Featuring new in-depth interviews, including Wallace’s only media interview since conviction, this is the story of his rise and fall, crimes and punishment - and his survivors.
Warning: The Artful Dodger podcast contains references to sexual abuse. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.
Written, hosted and produced by Kate Langdon and Philippa Tolley. Sound design, audio editing and mixing by Connor Scott. Additional sound recording by John Ropiha. Assistant producer: Jen Black. Visual design: Yasin Karadeniz. Legal: Charlotte Foster. Executive producer: Chris Reed. Special thanks: Catrin Owen, Edward Gay, Matt Slaughter, Elmo Johnstone and Laura Heathcote.
Wallace’s patronage provided critical support to emerging artists and major organisations alike. But did the community that so lauded him also protect and enable him? In the final episode, prominent figures paint a picture of a sector that was well aware of rumours about Wallace years before his victims went to police. They include Tom Sainsbury, who recalls the play he wrote about them in 2008.
Warning: The Artful Dodger podcast contains references to sexual abuse. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.
Music included in this episode:
Vincenzo Bellini - Norma: Casta Diva
Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème: Musetta's Waltz "Quando m'en vo"
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum No.3 As-dur
Erik Satie - Gymnopédie No. 1
Jules Massenet - Thaïs: Méditation
Franz Lehár - The Merry Widow: Lippen Schweigen
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The Artful Dodger
Once the most revered philanthropist in New Zealand arts, James Wallace’s world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault.
After the emergence of more victims and a six-year legal battle, Wallace was convicted of multiple crimes, no longer able to keep name suppression and stripped of his knighthood.
The case raised major legal questions about the justice system, its treatment of abuse victims and name suppression laws.
It also forced the arts sector to examine whether it had turned a blind eye to Wallace’s offending, in return for millions of dollars worth of patronage.
Featuring new in-depth interviews, including Wallace’s only media interview since conviction, this is the story of his rise and fall, crimes and punishment - and his survivors.
Warning: The Artful Dodger podcast contains references to sexual abuse. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.
Written, hosted and produced by Kate Langdon and Philippa Tolley. Sound design, audio editing and mixing by Connor Scott. Additional sound recording by John Ropiha. Assistant producer: Jen Black. Visual design: Yasin Karadeniz. Legal: Charlotte Foster. Executive producer: Chris Reed. Special thanks: Catrin Owen, Edward Gay, Matt Slaughter, Elmo Johnstone and Laura Heathcote.
