Geoffrey Rush has denied accusations made against him of "inappropriate behaviour".
The 66-year-old Academy Award winner – who has starred in a number of acclaimed movies including ‘The King’s Speech’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise – has been accused of inappropriate behaviour with a fellow cast member during a production of ‘King Lear’ at the Sydney Theatre Company.
A spokesperson for the theatre company told The Daily Telegraph in Sydney that the organisation had received an allegation that Rush – who lives in Melbourne – had engaged in inappropriate behaviour.
Rush has now responded to the accusation and said: "The moment I became aware of rumours of a complaint I immediately phoned and spoke to senior management at the Sydney Theatre Company asking for clarification about the details of the statement.
"They refused to illuminate me with the details. I also asked why this information was being withheld and why, according to standard theatre practice, the issue had not been raised with me during the production via stage management, the director, my fellow actors or anyone at management level. However, no response was forthcoming."
His lawyers have claimed that they were not informed of the nature of the complaint by the complainant or the theatre company, either at the time of the complaint was made 21 months ago or since.
In a statement, the lawyers told the publication: "In this current environment, ‘inappropriate behaviour’ may mean abuse, bullying or other forms of reprehensible activity. These are matters that deserve forthright and objective levels of discussion. It must be made clear from the outset that Mr. Rush abhors any form of maltreatment of any person in any form."
On Thursday (30.11.17), a Sydney Theatre Company spokeswoman said they received the complaint earlier in November and revealed the complainant asked for the matter to be dealt with confidentially.
They said: "Sydney Theatre Company was asked by a News Ltd journalist earlier this month whether it had received a complaint alleging inappropriate behaviour by Mr. Rush while he was employed by the company. STC responded truthfully that it had received such a complaint. At the time the complaint was made, the complainant requested that the matter be dealt with confidentially, and did not want Mr. Rush notified or involved in any investigation.
"STC complied, acting in the interest of the complainant’s health and welfare. As already stated, the Company received the complaint after Mr. Rush’s engagement had ended.
"STC has at all times been clear that this was an allegation made to (not by) STC and not a conclusion of impropriety."
Geoffrey Rush denies inappropriate behaviour allegations
