The prestigious Matilda Awards, Queensland’s premier awards for performing arts, honours 2022’s brightest and boldest artists across a range of new and refreshed categories.
A stellar shortlist of nominees will contest 20 categories when the annual celebration of Queensland’s dazzling theatre industry is held at Brisbane Powerhouse on Monday 27 February 2023.
Matilda Awards Chair Jan Irvine said acting categories were now gender-inclusive for artists in lead and supporting roles across mainstage and independent productions.
“The Matilda Awards committee consistently strives to make this a more inclusive and representative celebration and will recognise actors across production type, rather than by gender,” said Ms Irvine.
“We’ve also introduced two new categories this year: Best Ensemble acknowledges outstanding whole-of-cast performances and a Judges Award honours work that pushes artistic boundaries.
“There is an impressive number of new Australian works nominated this year and it’s worth noting Metro Arts accounts for 19 nominations across 12 categories, cementing itself as a champion of independent and emerging local artists,” said Ms Irvine.
Leading the field with seven nominations is Batshit – a solo production by Leah Shelton interrogating the myths and fears of female madness at Metro Arts during Brisbane Festival.
Receiving six nominations a piece are Queensland Theatre’s tri-lingual adaptation of Othello for Brisbane Festival and Bunker – a high-intensity physical theatre work staged at Metro Arts.
Queensland Theatre’s The Almighty Sometimes is nominated in five categories with QPAC and shake & stir theatre co.’s The Twits and the Metro Arts/Counterpilot co-production of Adrift nominated for four awards each.
Vying for Best Mainstage Production are Fourteen, Othello, Slow Boat, The Almighty Sometimes and The Twits. Productions contesting The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work are An Ideal Husband, Batshit, Fourteen, Face to Face and Boy, Lost.
The 2022 Matilda Awards will be presented at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Monday 27 February 2023. To view the full list of Nominees, click here! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.matildaawards.com.au for details.
Image: Queensland Theatre production of Othello – photo by Paul Furse