Actors Equity is thrilled to announce that Jill Perryman and Kevan Johnston are the joint recipients of the 2013 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Together Jill and Kevan have sung, danced and acted their way into our hearts for six decades,” says Actors Equity president Simon Burke.
“They receive this prestigious award not only because of their remarkable careers in the Australian entertainment industry but for being inspiring friends, teachers and mentors to countless performers within our community.”
“Jill and Kevan first met during 1953 in a production of Call Me Madam at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. The profoundly touching and irresistible thing about this year’s recipients is that we are honouring a partnership that has inspired us all offstage and on, for sixty wonderful years.”
Todd McKenney was among the many Australian performers who nominated Kevan and Jill for the award.
“Both Jill and Kevan have not only inspired millions of theatre goers in Australia due to their brilliant performances in a vast number of shows but more importantly they have continued to encourage young theatrical stars of the future to follow their dreams.”
“On a personal note, Kevan taught me to ‘dance like a bloke’ and Jill amazed me every time I watched her perform on TV, stage or in concert. Working opposite Jill inThe Boy From Oz will always be one of the most wonderful memories for me.”
The Equity Lifetime Achievement Award was launched in 2009 to honour the achievements of a leading Australian performer who has had a distinguished career and been an inspiration to other Australian performers. Past recipients include Peter Carroll, Bob Hornery, Maggie Dence and Ron Haddrick.
For more information, visit: www.equityfoundation.org.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Trudy Dunn
