Celebrating artistic excellence and distinguished achievement in live performance, the 2017 Helpmann Awards were presented at a star-studded ceremony last night (Monday 24 July) on the set of Kinky Boots at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
“We are proud to present the 17th Annual Helpmann Awards tonight,” said Chief Executive of LPA, Evelyn Richardson. “The breadth and diversity of Winners, Nominees and Performances at tonight’s ceremony shines a spotlight on Australia’s world-class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2017 Helpmann Awards Nominees and Winners!”
42 Helpmann Awards were presented in the categories of comedy, cabaret, presentation for children, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry, musicals, opera and classical music, regional touring and theatre.
Awards previously announced and presented live on stage last night included the JC Williamson Award recognising outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry presented to Richard Tognetti AO, and the Sue Nattrass Award, presented to Rob Brookman AM, which honours exceptional service to the Australian live performance industry.
A special bestowed award was also given to Ross Cunningham for his significant role and contribution to the live performance industry as LPA’s long standing Chair of the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee.
Celebrity Hosts for the evening were Tim Draxl and Jan van de Stool, and included performances by Reg Livermore (My Fair Lady), and the musicals Kinky Boots, Disney’s Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical featuring Dami Im and the star of the show Esther Hannaford.
Grinspoons’ Phil Jamieson was joined by the cast of Green Day’s American Idiot to perform 21 Guns, and Australian Dance Theatre performed a tribute to choreographer Tanja Liedtke with her International success construct. The Sydney Children’s Choir presented a piece by Sally Whitwell Lux Aeterna for the ‘In Memoriam’ and the cabaret circus hit Velvet starring Marcia Hines closed the night.
For more information, visit: www.helpmannawards.com.au for details.
Image: Saul – photo by Tony Lewis
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
BEST NEW AUSTRALIAN WORK:
LEAH PURCELL
The Drover’s Wife
Belvoir
BEST COSTUME DESIGN:
GREGG BARNES
Aladdin
Disney Theatrical Productions (Australia)
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN:
JOACHIM KLEIN
Saul
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:
IAIN GRANDAGE AND RAHAYU SUPANGGAH
Satan Jawa
Arts Centre Melbourne, Asia TOPA and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
BEST MUSIC DIRECTION:
ERIN HELYARD
Saul
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST SCENIC DESIGN:
ANNA CORDINGLEY
Jasper Jones
Melbourne Theatre Company
BEST SOUND DESIGN:
GARETH FRY AND PETE MALKIN
The Encounter
Complicite, Sydney Festival, Malthouse Theatre, Adelaide Festival and Perth International Arts Festival
CABARET:
BEST CABARET PERFORMER:
HOPE HAAMI, JUANITA DUNCAN, OFA FOTU, CRYSTAL STACEY, ALEXIS WEST, GHENOA GELA, LISA FA’ALAFI AND KIM ‘BUSTY BEATZ’ BOWERS
Hot Brown Honey
Briefs Factory, Arts Centre Melbourne and Sydney Opera House
COMEDY:
BEST COMEDY PERFORMER:
HANNAH GADSBY
Nanette
Token Events
PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN:
BEST PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN:
JUMP FIRST, ASK LATER
Powerhouse Youth Theatre and Force Majeure
REGIONAL TOURING AWARDS:
BEST REGIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION:
TERRAIN
Bangarra Dance Theatre
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC:
BEST AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY CONCERT:
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS AND BILLIONS AUSTRALIA
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Billions Australia
BEST CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL:
MONA FOMA 2017
Museum of Old and New Art
BEST INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY CONCERT:
PATTI SMITH AND BLUESFEST TOURING
Patti Smith and her Band Australian Tour 2017
Bluesfest Touring
DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE AWARDS:
BEST BALLET:
BALLET PRELJOCAJ’S SNOW WHITE
QPAC in association with Brisbane Festival
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION:
ATTRACTOR
Dancenorth and Lucy Guerin Inc, with Arts Centre Melbourne, Asia TOPA, WOMADelaide and Brisbane Festival
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A BALLET, DANCE OR PHYSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION:
GIDEON OBARZANEK AND LUCY GUERIN
Attractor
Dancenorth and Lucy Guerin Inc, with Arts Centre Melbourne, Asia TOPA, WOMADelaide and Brisbane Festival
BEST MALE DANCER IN A BALLET, DANCE OR PHYSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION:
KEVIN JACKSON
Nijinsky
The Australian Ballet
BEST FEMALE DANCER IN A BALLET, DANCE OR PHYSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION:
LILIAN STEINER
Split
Lucy Guerin Inc and Arts House
BEST VISUAL OR PHYSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION:
SNAKE SESSIONS
Branch Nebula, produced by Intimate Spectacle, toured by Arts on Tour
OPERA AND CLASSICAL MUSIC:
BEST DIRECTION OF AN OPERA:
BARRIE KOSKY
Saul
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST FEMALE PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN AN OPERA:
LORINA GORE
King Roger
Opera Australia
BEST MALE PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN AN OPERA:
KANEN BREEN
Saul
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST FEMALE PERFORMER IN AN OPERA:
LISE LINDSTROM
The Ring Cycle
Opera Australia
BEST MALE PERFORMER IN AN OPERA:
CHRISTOPHER PURVES
Saul
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST OPERA:
SAUL
Adelaide Festival in association with the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival Centre present a Glyndebourne Festival Opera production
BEST CHAMBER AND/OR INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE CONCERT:
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Opera House and QPAC
BEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT:
STEMME, SKELTON, TRISTAN & ISOLDE
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
BEST INDIVIDUAL CLASSICAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE:
JOSHUA BELL
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Opera House and QPAC
THEATRE:
BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY:
LETICIA CÁCERES
The Drover’s Wife
Belvoir
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A PLAY:
AMBER MCMAHON
Girl Asleep
Windmill Theatre Company
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A PLAY:
GUY SIMON
Jasper Jones
Melbourne Theatre Company
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY:
KATE MULVANY
Richard 3
Bell Shakespeare
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY:
MARK COLES SMITH
The Drover’s Wife
Belvoir
BEST PLAY:
THE DROVER’S WIFE
Belvoir
MUSICALS AWARDS:
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL:
TREY PARKER AND CASEY NICHOLAW
The Book of Mormon
ANNE GAREFINO, SCOTT RUDIN, IMPORTANT MUSICALS, JOHN FROST, Roger Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Roy Furman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Kevin Morris, Jon B. Platt, Sonia Friedman Productions
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A MUSICAL:
JERRY MITCHELL
Kinky Boots
MICHAEL CASSEL by special arrangement with DARYL ROTH and HAL LUFTIG
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL:
ROBYN NEVIN
My Fair Lady
Opera Australia and John Frost
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL:
MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT
Aladdin
Disney Theatrical Productions (Australia)
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
ANNA O’BYRNE
My Fair Lady
Opera Australia and John Frost
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
CALLUM FRANCIS
Kinky Boots
MICHAEL CASSEL by special arrangement with DARYL ROTH and HAL LUFTIG
BEST MUSICAL:
THE BOOK OF MORMON
ANNE GAREFINO, SCOTT RUDIN, IMPORTANT MUSICALS, JOHN FROST, Roger Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Roy Furman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Kevin Morris, Jon B. Platt, Sonia Friedman Productions
JC WILLIAMSON AWARD:
Outstanding contribution to the Australian Live Performance Industry
RICHARD TOGNETTI AO
SUE NATTRASS AWARD:
Exceptional service to the Australian Live Performance Industry.
ROB BROOKMAN AM
BESTOWED HELPMANN AWARD:
Outstanding contribution to the Live Performance Industry
ROSS CUNNINGHAM