Rush actions ‘playful’

THE director of a Sydney play at the centre of claims actor Geoffrey Rush “inappropriately touched” a co-star yesterday backed the Oscar-winner, saying his “playfulness” was also part of his “great artistry”.

However, he also conceded he did not know the full details.

‘‘In my time in all the weeks and months of rehearsal and performance, I saw absolutely nothing other than an artist at the top of his form leading a company with respect and playfulness and great artistry,” Neil Armfield told ABC presenter Fran Kelly.

“Even talking about this as a sexual allegation is completely inappropriate. It is not (sexual in nature). It is inappropriate behaviour.” A stunned Kelly asked if Armfield knew details of the allegations. “No, I do not,” he said