Geoffrey Rush pulls out of Australian stage production
Posted Jul 9, 2018 11:27:05 PM.
Last Updated Jul 10, 2018 12:00:14 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CANBERRA, Australia – Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has pulled out of Shakespeare stage production in Australia as he sues a Sydney newspaper for defamation.
Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Brett Sheehy said in a statement on Tuesday that he had received a statement from the 67-year-old actor on Monday withdrawing from the role of Malvolio in a seven-week season of “Twelfth Night” which begins on Nov. 12.
Rush said: “Due to my current circumstances and medical advice, I must withdraw from the upcoming project.”
The Australian actor is suing The Daily Telegraph newspaper for defamation over articles published in December that accused him of inappropriate behaviour toward actress Eryn Jean Norvill during the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of “King Lear” in 2015.
Rush has denied the allegation.
