Eryn-Jean Norvill

Eryn Jean Norvill (born 1984), sometimes spelt Eryn-Jean Norvill, is an Australian stage and television actress. She has mostly performed in Sydney Theatre Company productions, and frequently collaborated with STC artistic director Kip Williams. In May 2022 she played all 26 characters in an adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Early life and education Norvill was born in around 1984, and grew up in Sydney. As a child, she loved watching Star Trek and Star Wars, and enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy fiction. As a school student, she attended classes at the now-defunct Australian Youth Theatre, and decided to make a career in theatre.

After leaving school, Norvill auditioned for the National Institute of Dramatic Art, but was not accepted, so she tried out for the PACT Centre for Emerging Artists' imPACT ensemble in 2003, also in Sydney. There she was successful, and went on to study at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in Melbourne. ), to present Niche, a sci-fi thriller, which drew glowing reviews. and she reprised the role in 2022, with one reviewer suggesting that she could be the new Cate Blanchett.

In late 2024, Norvill was named in series three of Foxtel / Binge series The Twelve.

Recognition and awards 2015: Sydney Theatre Awards, Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Mainstage Production, for Suddenly Last Summer A painting of Norvill by Oliver Watts was entered for the Archibald Prize in 2021. Watts has painted her many times, and she has featured in his video works.

Legal proceedings

On 30 November 2017, as Norvill was in the middle of the Three Sisters season, The Daily Telegraph published a front-page article alleging that Rush engaged in "inappropriate behaviour" on stage with a co-star during the STC's 2015 production of King Lear. The story contained no corroboration for the allegations, though the STC divulged to the paper that they had received a complaint about alleged sexual harassment by Rush from Norvill. Rush denied the allegations and in December filed a defamation suit with the Federal Court against Nationwide News, charging that The Telegraph had "made false, pejorative and demeaning claims". Norvill testified at the trial, which began in October 2018. Justice Michael Wigney ruled in favour of Rush in April 2019, saying that her evidence was "not credible or reliable and contradicted by other members of the cast". He criticised The Telegraph for irresponsible journalism and ordered the paper to pay Rush .

The trial and the media coverage of it took its toll on Norvill, causing her to withdraw from a starring role in a March 2018 Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Mike Leigh's comedy Abigail's Party.

As crew YearTitleRoleNotes 2009 A Tiny Chorus Devisor / Writer / Dramaturg Meeting Room, Melbourne with Elbow Room Productions for Melbourne Fringe Festival 2017 Niche Creator / Soundtrack / Music Northcote Town Hall, Melbourne with MTC Elbow Room & Darebin Arts Speakeasy 2019 Lord of the Flies Dramaturg Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney with STC 2020–2022 Picture of Dorian Gray Dramaturg / Creative Associate Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth, Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Playhouse, Melbourne with STC

Filmography

Television

Film