Geoffrey Rush pulls out of production of Twelfth Night citing 'current circumstances and medical advice' after the publication of allegations he 'inappropriately touched a co-star' left the actor 'anxious and housebound'
Geoffrey Rush has pulled out of a Melbourne Theatre Company production of Twelfth Night.
The 67-year-old actor said, via a statement released by the theatre company on Monday: 'Due to my current circumstances and medical advice, I must withdraw from the upcoming project of Twelfth Night'.
He went on to say that the decision was made, 'with the greatest regret,' however he did not feel up to taking on the role.
Out: Geoffrey Rush (pictured) has pulled out of a Melbourne Theatre Company production of Twelfth Night, a statement said Monday
'I know that I would not be able to provide the necessary creative spirit and the professional stamina required for the project,' the actor explained.
Tickets for the production were said to have sold out quickly following the announcement that Rush would be taking the role in June.
The production of the Shakespeare classic was slated to go ahead from November 12 onward.
It comes after Rush's lawyer revealed the star was 'virtually housebound', barely eats and wakes up with a 'terrible sense of dread' since reports of allegations of sexual misconduct.
The 67-year-old actor said, via a statement released Monday: 'Due to my current circumstances and medical advice, I must withdraw from the upcoming project of Twelfth Night'. Rush is pictured in the 2015 production of King Lear
The Oscar-winning actor is suing the Sydney's Daily Telegraph for reporting that a co-star in a 2015 production of King Lear (pictured) made a complaint about his behaviour
The Oscar-winning actor is suing Sydney's Daily Telegraph for reporting that a co-star in a 2015 production of King Lear made a complaint about his behaviour.
The actress was later revealed to have complained about Rush allegedly touching her five times in an inappropriate fashion despite being asked to stop.
Rush has suffered 'tremendous emotional and social hardship' since the story was published in November, his solicitor Nicholas Pullen wrote.
Withdrawn: 'I know that I would not be able to provide the necessary creative spirit and the professional stamina required for the project,' the actor explained
The Shine star has lost his appetite, struggles to sleep, and has rarely left his home, according to the affidavit tendered to the Federal Court.
He wakes every morning with a 'terrible sense of dread about his future career', and feels his worth to the theatre and film industry is irreparably damaged, it said.
Rush is suing the newspaper's publisher Nationwide News, a News Corp subsidiary, and journalist Jonathon Moran for defamation.
He strenuously denies the allegations, which were heard in court for the first time in February, calling them 'false and demeaning'.
Struggles? It comes after Rush's lawyer revealed the star was 'virtually housebound', barely eats and wakes up with a 'terrible sense of dread' since allegations of sexual misconduct
