The 2019 Helpmann Awards Act II last night (Monday 15 July) was a star studded black-tie gala event hosted by the fabulous dynamic duo of comedian, writer and actor, Susie Youssef, and Artistic Director of State Theatre Company South Australia, Mitchell Butel.
Saluting artistic excellence and achievement on Australian stages over the past year, twenty three (23) prestigious Helpmann Awards (listed below) were presented in the categories of comedy, cabaret, contemporary music, musicals, opera, classical music, theatre and ballet, dance and physical theatre.
These Awards complement the 20 Awards announced on Sunday night at the 2019 Helpmann Awards Act I. In addition, the 2019 JC Williamson Award was presented by Paul Kelly AO to the legendary singer-songwriter Kev Carmody, for his outstanding contribution to the live performance industry.
This year’s special guest presenters included industry luminaries Greta Bradman, Rhonda Burchmore OAM, Uncle Jack Charles, Joel Creasey, Lucy Durack, James Egglestone, Nancye Hayes AM, Stephanie Lake, Chong Lim, Paul Kelly AO, Rachael Maza, David McAllister AM, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jacob Nash, Keir Nuttall, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Vanessa Scammell.
In a world first, the cast of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child performed an exclusive montage at the play’s Australian home, Melbourne’s Princess Theatre – which was beamed live to the 2019 Helpmann Awards audience at Arts Centre Melbourne.
As well as the special live cross to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, acclaimed performances at the State Theatre included Victorian Opera with their new work Lorelei, featuring divas Ali McGregor, Dimity Shepherd and Danielle Calder; and The Australian Ballet with an exquisite new piece from Aurum by choreographer Alice Topp.
The breathtaking Bangarra dancers Beau Dean Riley Smith, Rikki Mason, Tyrel Dulvarie, Ryan Pearson, Baden Hitchcock and Bradley Smith in an excerpt from the Helpmann Award winning production Bennelong; a special tribute to Kev Carmody from electronic soul pop duo Electric Fields; and musical theatre darling Silvie Paladino.
Bringing the show home was the sensational Brent Hill and the extraordinary kids from the hit musical School of Rock. Once again, the Helpmann Awards Orchestra was led by exceptional musical director Vanessa Scammell.
The Helpmann Awards Act II was preceded by the Red Carpet Walk with its fun and fabulous frocks, hosted by colourful comedienne Cal Wilson. The celebrations continued late into the night with the After Party at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
“We are proud to present the 19th Annual Helpmann Awards in Melbourne this year for the very first time,” said Richard Evans, President Live Performance Australia. “The breadth and diversity of Winners, Nominees and performances at tonight’s and yesterday’s events shines a spotlight on Australia’s world-class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2019 Helpmann Award Nominees and Winners!”
For more information and a full list of winners and nominees, visit: www.helpmannawards.com.au for details.
Image: Counting & Cracking – courtesy of Belvoir & C0-Curious
The 2019 Helpmann Awards Act II winners:
Best Male Actor in a Musical:
Brent Hill – School of Rock the Musical – GWB Entertainment and S&Co in association with Kham Inc by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited
Best Female Actor in a Musical:
Ursula Yovich – Barbara and the Camp Dogs – Belvoir in association with Vicki Gordon Music Productions Pty Ltd
Best Male Actor in a Play:
Prakash Belawadi – Counting & Cracking – Belvoir & C0-Curious
Best Female Actor in a Play:
Kate Mulvany – Every Brilliant Thing – Belvoir
Best Comedy Performer:
Hannah Gadsby – Douglas – A Token Event
Best Cabaret Performer:
Ali McGregor – Yma Sumac – The Peruvian Songbird – Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Best Male Dancer in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production:
Waangenga Blanco – Dark Emu – Bangarra Dance Theatre
Best Female Dancer in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production:
Tara Jade Samaya – Common Ground – Chunky Move
Best Male Performer in an Opera:
Michael Honeyman – Wozzeck – Opera Australia
Best Female Performer in an Opera:
Lise Lindstrom – Salome – Opera Australia
JC Williamson Award:
Kev Carmody
Best International Contemporary Concert:
David Byrne and Frontier Touring – American Utopia Tour 2018 – David Byrne and Frontier Touring
Best Contemporary Music Festival:
Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) – MONA FOMA 2019 – Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)
Best Australian Contemporary Concert:
Tim Minchin and Live Nation Australasia – Back – Live Nation Australasia
Best Individual Classical Music Performance:
Asher Fisch – Tristan und Isolde – West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Best Chamber and/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert:
Melbourne Recital Centre and State Opera of South Australia – Gabrieli Consort & Players – Purcell’s King Arthur – Melbourne Recital Centre and State Opera of South Australia
Best Symphony Orchestra Concert:
West Australian Symphony Orchestra – Tristan und Isolde – West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production:
Gravity & Other Myths – Out of Chaos… – Adelaide Festival
Best Ballet:
Aurum – The Australian Ballet
Best Dance Production:
The Beginning of Nature – Australian Dance Theatre
Best Opera:
Arts Projects Australia, Adelaide Festival and Perth Festival – Komische Oper Berlin’s The Magic Flute – Adelaide Festival and Perth Festival by arrangement with Arts Projects Australia
Best Musical:
Barbara and the Camp Dogs – Belvoir in association with Vicki Gordon Music Productions Pty Ltd
Best Production of a Play:
Counting & Cracking – Belvoir & C0-Curious
Best New Australian Work:
S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack – Counting & Cracking – Belvoir & C0-Curious