Geoffrey Rush’s defamation trial against Australian newspaper sees another actor burst into song
The Oscar-winning actor is suing Sydney’s 'The Daily Telegraph'
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Your support makes all the difference.Geoffrey Rush’s defamation trial against Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph newspaper has reached a dramatic peak as an Australian actor, testifying on behalf of the Oscar-winner, burst into song.
Helen Buday – who was said to be creating “dramatic suspense” by Justice Michael Wigney when she could not at first be found to take the stand – was defending Rush, testifying for his character.
According to The Guardian, she proceeded to engage in a fiery back-and-forth with the barrister representing the Telegraph, Tom Blackburn SC.
Buday, who lives in the South of France, is said to have repeatedly clashed with him, bursting into song twice, and reluctantly leaving the stand after her testimony, claiming to have more to say.
Rush was accused of behaving inappropriately towards Eryn-Jean Norvill on the set of the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2015 production of Shakespeare’s King Lear.
The Telegraph reported the allegations in November 2017 without naming Norvill, the actor later coming forward publicly to defend the paper at the trial. They are arguing a truth defence based on evidence presented by Norvill, including a text message that included an emoji of a face with a tongue sticking out.
“You’re trying to make something out of this that’s just not there,” Buday told the court. “I think it’s strange, odd, that you would read something sinister [into the message].”
Norvill alleges that Rush made “groping” and “hour-glass” motions towards her, and would often stick out his tongue and lick his lips in her direction. Buday claimed to have never seen any inappropriate behaviour, as did the director of the production, Neil Armfield, a long-time friend and associate of Rush’s.
Following the paper’s articles, Rush was told to resign as head of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. He said while being cross-examined that he had “no inkling” of a problem between himself and Norvill.
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Rush has strenuously denied the allegations and is seeking aggravated damages against the paper. The trial continues.
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