SCENE: A New York restaurant. Cate Blanchett, her husband Andrew Upton and Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman are sitting at a table with a script in front of them. Enter Hugo Weaving.
That's how Riflemind, the standout play in next year's Sydney Theatre Company season, took shape. Andrew Upton had written the play about the reunion of a famous rock'n'roll band.

STC creative director Robyn Nevin had spoken to Hoffman about it, knowing the American legend had always wanted to direct theatre in Sydney.

All they needed was a charismatic lead to play John, Riflemind's reclusive lead singer. Then the famous four met to seal the deal early this year.

"We were in New York with Hedda Gabler,'' Weaving said yesterday.

"Andrew and Cate know Philip quite well. I know Philip has been wanting to direct a play of Andrew's and Robyn knew of that and had been talking to him.

" I heard Philip was possibly going to direct and I met him in New York and he, Andrew, Cate and I had dinner and it was kind of, yep, we're doing it.''

Weaving said he jumped at the chance to act in an Upton play as "I love him to death'' and he was a big fan of Hoffman.

Asked if he would model John on any real-life rock stars, he said: "Absolutely no idea ... I'll have to start thinking about it.

"It's a wonderful play, it's kind of funny and tragic and sad,'' he said.

Snaring Hoffman to direct his first Australian play was a coup by Nevin.

"He has always wanted to come and direct here in Sydney, so the opportunity was there for the taking,'' she said.