Geoffrey Rush denies ‘inappropriate behaviour’ at theatre

The Sydney Theatre Company says it received a complaint of “inappropriate behaviour” against Geoffrey Rush, an allegation lawyers for the Oscar winner denied. (Photo By Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0)

CANBERRA, Australia — The Sydney Theatre Company says it received a complaint of “inappropriate behaviour” against Geoffrey Rush, an allegation lawyers for the Oscar winner denied.

The company was not disclosing details of the behaviour alleged to have occurred while the 66-year-old Australian actor was an employee.

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers did not respond to a request for comment Friday, but had issued an earlier statement denying Rush was involved in any inappropriate behaviour.

Australian media reports say the allegation dated from Rush’s participation in the theatre’s production of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” from November 2015 to January 2016.

Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph cited two unnamed theatre sources in reporting Friday that an actress had accused Rush of touching her inappropriately. The sources told the newspaper the theatre wouldn’t work with Rush again.