Geoffrey Rush set for 'Madman'

Thesp returns to stage in 'Diary' revival

By PAUL CHAI

Geoffrey Rush will return to the stage at Sydney's Belvoir St. Theater in a 2010 revival of Gogol's "Diary of a Madman," to be directed by Neil Armfield in his 15th and final season as a.d. of the company.

Rush won a lead actor Tony this year for his role in Armfield's production of Ionesco's "Exit the King," which transferred to Broadway after an earlier run at Belvoir St. Armfield and Rush originated the "Madman" production in 1989.

Armfield will leave Company B at the end of 2010, which marks the company's 25th anniversary. He intends to beef up his directing resume, which includes the 2006 film "Candy," with Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish, and TV credits.