Australia’s most prestigious live performance awards, the Helpmann Awards, will leave Sydney and call Melbourne home for the first time next year.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren today announced the awards will be held in Australia’s cultural capital – Melbourne – from 2019 to 2021, and comes on top of a raft of major theatre productions recently announced that will come exclusively to Victoria – including Come From Away and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
“The Helpmann Awards belong in Australia’s cultural and theatre capital – Melbourne,” said Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren. “From our famous East End theatre precinct to home-grown productions, we have so much to celebrate – and hosting these awards on our turf will inspire more Victorians to go centre stage.”
The annual Helpmann Awards recognise the best in our nations live performance sector, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, cabaret, regional touring, opera, and dance. The Helpmann Awards also incorporate the JC Williamson and Sue Nattrass Awards for outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry.
Presented by peak industry body Live Performance Australia, the Awards were established in 2001 to recognise, celebrate and promote Australia’s live performance industry – like the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London. Live Performance Australia recently assembled a new production team for the Awards which will be led by White Night curator David Atkins OAM as Artistic Director.
“After a successful 18 year run in Sydney, the opportunity to bring the Helpmann Awards Events to Melbourne is consistent with our vision of extending our national presence.” said Live Performance Australia Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson.
“Bringing the Helpmann Awards to Melbourne offers a superb opportunity to grow and extend the reach and impact of our awards program to a wider and larger audience, while also recognising Melbourne’s international reputation as a destination for major events and live performance.”
The Victorian Government lured the Helpmann Awards from Sydney thanks to funding from the Major Events Fund, which was boosted by $4.5 million in the Victorian Budget 2018/19. Since Visit Victoria was established, the Government has already secured more than 60 major events, 320 business events and supported more than 160 events across our regions – helping to create more than 15,000 new Victorian tourism jobs.
“We’re thrilled to add the Helpmann Awards to our enviable events calendar because there’s no better place to celebrate the best in Australian live performance than Victoria – Australia’s creative state and the home of live theatre,” said Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley.
For more information about the Helpmann Awards, visit: www.helpmannawards.com.au for details.
Image: The Helpmann Awards Trophy – courtesy of Live Performance Australia