Was Oscar winner's feud formed at the Warehouse Theatre?

In musing on the Warehouse Theatre's current play, Drood, Mark Shenton of The Stage tells a story about the roots of a theatrical spat down under, which might trace its roots back to a play in Croydon at the Warehouse over a decade ago.

In his blog entry, "Emigrating to Croydon", Mark highlights the suggestion made by Michael Billington in the Guardian last October that Colin Moody's walkout from the Sydney Theatre Company was inspired by his experience in Croydon when he performed Michael Gow's Sweet Phoebe there in 1995. His co-star was Cate Blanchett, in her first UK stage performance, and it was she who got the glowing reviews. Moody's meanwhile were merely "respectful". So was it this which was at the root of Moody's objection to Blanchett's appointment with her husband to run the STC, despite her Oscar glory?

In the blog full of other gossip, Shenton describes the Warehouse as "a dynamic, but largely unsung, little producing theatre" and looks at the international connections of Croydon. Drood, meanwhile, is on until 24 February and is full of fun and innovation. Book now and don't forget the Victorian-inspired menu for interval food.