The play’s the thing

By this stage the proscenium arch is swaying dangerously and could come crashing down on the Geoffrey Rush defamation case, causing cast and crew to scatter for cover.

Someone must have told the actor what a great idea it was to enter the lion’s den of litigation and sue the pants off The Daily Smellograph for alleging he was a “pervert and sexual predator”.

The plot has the nation enthralled. Leading thespians have gone on stage to proclaim Rush’s greatness and purity. They never saw any wayward behaviour, even when their eyes were glued to the stage. In some instances, text messages including those with tongue-out emojis and other endearments seemed to contradict the verbal testimony.

Actress Eryn Jean Norvill appeared unshaken in the face of heavy- weather cross-examination. More witnesses have been lurking in the wings.

This is theatre where the directors and performers have lost control over the play. The script is supposed to focus on reputation, for as the Bard says: “The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation – that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay.”