Rush cross-examination continues

Geoffrey Rush will continue to be cross-examined in his defamation trial against a Sydney newspaper and journalist.

Rush is suing the Daily Telegraph's publisher Nationwide News and reporter Jonathon Moran over articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately toward a co-star - later revealed to be Eryn Jean Norvill - during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016.

The Oscar-winner has denied the allegation.

Rush has been in the witness box at Sydney's Federal Court for more than a day, telling the court there was "not a hint" that Norvill had a complaint during rehearsals and he never detected he was making her uncomfortable.

He denied suggestions by defence lawyer Tom Blackburn SC that he was throwing out an invitation and testing the waters when he told Norvill he was thinking about her "more than is socially appropriate".

The comment, included in a lengthy 2016 text message to Norvill, was followed by an emoji with its tongue hanging out.

"It's a throwaway line. It's actually a joke, I would say modestly, in the style of Groucho Marx," Rush said on Tuesday.

He said he would have used a Groucho emoji if it was available to "absolutely ensure it was whimsy".

Nationwide News and Moran are pleading a defence of truth in the judge-alone trial and Norvill - who didn't speak with Moran for the articles - has agreed to give evidence.

A defence document alleges he made lewd gestures in her direction, simulated groping her breasts and made comments or jokes about her involving sexual innuendo.

He's also accused of touching Norvill's lower back under her shirt, and intentionally tracing his hand across the side of her breast when he carried her onstage during a performance.

Rush has denied doing the alleged acts and said he felt he and Norvill had a "very good, professional, warm rapport".

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