Nominations have been announced for the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2018, which will be presented at a gala ceremony in the York Theatre – Seymour Centre on Monday 21 January 2019.
Leading the list with 11 nominations is The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two, produced by the Sydney Theatre Company, followed by Cry-Baby from LPD and Hayes Theatre Co and Sydney Theatre Company’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, both on nine nominations. In the Heights, produced by Blue Saint Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co, was awarded eight nominations, while The Flick from Outhouse Theatre Company and Seymour Centre received seven nominations.
Nominations in the 33 categories were spread across 49 productions which played on Sydney stages during 2018. Sydney Theatre Company has a clean sweep in the Best Mainstage Production category with Blackie Blackie Brown, The Harp In The South, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and Saint Joan all vying for the award, the first time one theatre company has dominated all nominations in this category.
The nominees for Best Independent Production are The Flick (Outhouse Theatre Company in association with Seymour Centre), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse Theatre Company in association with Red Line Productions), Stupid Fucking Bird (New Theatre) and There Will Be A Climax (Red Line Productions in partnership with NIDA).
The Sydney Theatre Awards are presented annually by a group of leading theatre critics to celebrate the strength, quality and diversity of theatre in Sydney. The panel consist of Elissa Blake (Audrey Journal), Jason Blake (Audrey Journal), Deborah Jones (The Australian), Jo Litson (Limelight), John McCallum (The Australian), Joyce Morgan (The Sydney Morning Herald), Ben Neutze (Time Out), John Shand (The Sydney Morning Herald) Diana Simmonds (Stagenoise), Cassie Tongue (Time Out) and Suzy Wrong (Suzy Goes See).
The reviewers all felt 2018 was a very strong year for Sydney theatre. “It’s always a huge privilege to witness the work of our city’s talented, devoted and often criminally underappreciated theatre makers,” said Ben Neutze. “This has been an outstanding year in a number of ways, particularly with new plays at mainstage companies. We’ve seen outstanding productions that grapple with Australia’s position in the world, take outsider perspectives on our society, and dig into our history to imagine a way forward.”
“It’s unusual that one company has dominated the Best Mainstage Production category – and we hope for more equitable representation in future – but it must be said that Sydney Theatre Company’s season was packed with highlights. Similarly, Griffin Theatre Company and Hayes Theatre Co continue to punch well above their weight, as is reflected in the nominations.”
Diana Simmonds agreed, saying, “It’s hard to believe this is the 14th year of the Awards, but wonderful to be able to say it was a vintage year, from mainstage to independent. The quality and ambition are thrilling, particularly in new Australian works, and the participation of women of all ages is growing and we want to see no going back on that.”
Peter Lowry OAM, President of the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation, has confirmed the Foundation’s sponsorship of the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards. “We are so pleased to be able to again support the Awards and are honoured to be a major sponsor. The Friends of the Foundation represent hundreds of enthusiastic, regular theatre-goers who are always excited by the tremendous talent that will be acknowledged and celebrated at the 14th annual Sydney Theatre Awards,” he said.
“Congratulations to all nominees and winners. We also congratulate the leading theatre critics responsible for these Awards as, once again, they recognise and reward the strength, quality and diversity of outstanding, professional mainstage and independent plays, musicals and performances produced in Sydney over the last twelve months.”
The 2018 Sydney Theatre Awards will be presented at the York Theatre – Seymour Centre on Monday 21 January 2019. For more information, and complete list of nominees, visit: www.sydneytheatreawards.com for details.
Image: The Harp in the South – photo by Daniel Boud