Blanchett turns her back on Hollywood for theatre

SYDNEY, Nov 10 (Reuters) Oscar-winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett said today she never planned to be a Hollywood movie star and is content to turn her back on tinseltown to pursue her first love, the theatre.

Blanchett, who along with her husband playwright Andrew Upton have been appointed creative directors of The Sydney Theatre Company (STC), says she will now only allow three months a year for filming.

''The acceptance of the role of co-creative director of this company is not a dalliance. It is an absolutely firm commitment,'' she told a news conference at the STC's Wharf Theatre on Sydney Harbour.

''Sometimes I may take that (three months) up, sometimes I may not but my primary responsibility is to co-manage and lead this company whilst also maintaining my own engagement as an artist.'' Now 37 and a mother of two, Blanchett says she is tired of being called a Hollywood celebrity.

''I'm not interested in that label for myself personally but obviously if there's some cache around fame its a by-product, and if that by-product can be harnessed for the company's benefit then fantastic,'' she said.

Blanchett began her acting career at the STC 13 years ago, when she first appeared in its production of ''Oleanna'', a year after graduating from acting school.

She made her film debut in ''Parklands'' in 1996 and in 2005, Blanchett won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in ''The Aviator'' alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

Her latest film, ''Babel'', in which she stars with Brad Pitt, was released in the United States last month to acclaim and is being suggested as a possible Oscar nomination.

PUTTING ARTISTS FIRST Blanchett said she never intended to become a movie star: in fact, film work was frowned upon at her acting school.

''It wasn't something I necessarily trained to do,'' she said, but conceded it was ''very, very important that actors get the opportunity to work in all mediums''.

This month, Blanchett will direct the STC's ''A Kind of Alaska'', marking her first project in the role.

Upton has also written several plays for the company, and was recently appointed as the company's artistic associate.

''We're extremely excited and honoured to be chosen ... and its possibly the most significant decision we've ever made apart from getting married,'' said Upton.

''This has always been a company that's put the artists first, actors want to work here. The plan therefore is to extend the reach, deepen the potency and continue the opportunities this company offers both to artists and audiences.'' Blanchett said she had not yet decided whether she would mainly perform, direct or write plays for the company.

''Andrew and I are not seeking to re-invent ourselves and as directors to the Sydney Theatre company we come first and foremost as an actor and as a writer,'' said Blanchett.

''If I am lucky enough to be offered a good role theatrically it would be obviously through and connected with the STC, but a good film role -- we all know how rare those things are -- then I'm willing to pursue it,'' she said.

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