After two weeks of evidence from the central players – Mr Rush and his King Lear co-star Eryn Jean Norvill – and witnesses who may or may not have seen any inappropriate behaviour, it was time for the bean counters.

Increase over 10 years

In demand

Mr Rush is suing News Corp, publisher of the Telegraph, over a poster and two articles in late 2017 that said the Sydney Theatre Company had received a complaint accusing him of "inappropriate behaviour" towards a cast member, who was later identified as Ms Norvill.