GEOFFREY RUSH - RUSH REAPS CRITICS' PRAISE FOR BROADWAY DEBUT

RUSH REAPS CRITICS' PRAISE FOR BROADWAY DEBUT

GEOFFREY RUSH is the toast of the New York theatre world - his Broadway debut in EUGENE IONESCO's EXIT THE KING has been lauded by critics - with the Australian actor outshining his co-star SUSAN SARANDON.
The Oscar-winner made his first Broadway bow on Friday (27Mar09) night in the play he originally starred in at the Malthouse Theater in Victoria, Australia.
And the press audience was delighted with his portrayal of a 400-year-old king who is facing death - with a critic from The New York Times describing Rush's performance as a "knockout" and The Daily News branding the 57-year-old an "ace on stage".
But Rush's co-star, Susan Sarandon, who made her first Broadway appearance since 1972 as The King's wife, received less-kindly reviews.
The New York Post theatre critic states Sarandon "barks out her lines as if unsure where she's meant to be authoritative or just in a bad mood", describing her overall performance as "problematic".
Another expert from The Daily News claims the actress' big screen appeal doesn't transfer to her stage work, saying "she emerges far less colourful on stage, from her voice to her body language."