Cate Blanchett and her screenwriter husband Andrew Upton have been named as joint artistic directors of Australia's Sydney Theatre Company (STC). Blanchett started her acting career in Sydney and received much acclaim for her performances with the STC in the early 1990s.

The couple worked together on the STC production of Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabbler" in 2004.

In a statement, the couple says, "As a team we come to the role as joint artistic directors first and foremost as an actress and a playwright. Both of us are passionate about the theatrical art form in all its mad variety."

Blanchett follows in the footsteps of her The Shipping News co-star Kevin Spacey, who is artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)