Announced before a packed crowd at Brisbane Powerhouse last night, the 2022 Matilda Awards honoured the indefatigable work of Actors and Entertainers Benevolent Fund (ABFQld) president Paul Dellit OAM, awarding him the Gold Matilda.
Under Mr Dellit’s leadership, ABFQld spearheaded major fundraising initiatives and generated record levels of donations to support and assist performing arts professionals financially affected by the ongoing COVID crisis.
After a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2021, Queensland’s premier awards for performing arts returned to recognise two seasons of exceptional entertainment across 2020 and 2021.
Making its world premiere in February 2021, La Boite Theatre’s production of Naked & Screaming – a searing look at the dynamics of new parenthood, led the field, taking home three awards for Best Mainstage Production, Best Director for Sanja Simic and Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for Emily Burton.
Other big winners included the interactive, solo contemporary dance work Cowboy, staged at Metro Arts as part of Brisbane Festival 2020, with two awards for Anna Whitaker and Ben Ely’s Sound Design and The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work.
Independent powerhouse The Little Red Company also scored two awards for Best Musical/Cabaret and Best Lighting Design for Jason Glenwright for its 2021 smash-hit Your Song, inspired by Elton John’s iconic songbook. The full list of winners are listed below.
Matilda Awards Chair Jan Irvine said tonight’s ceremony was a celebration of the resilience and tenacity of Queensland’s performing arts industry.
“Our sector banded together in camaraderie and solidarity over the past two years and tonight, I was proud to stand alongside so many talented individuals as we recognised and rewarded the work they produced under such challenging conditions,” said Ms Irvine.
“The Matilda Awards again clearly demonstrated that the work produced by Queensland’s cast, crew and creatives is world-class.”
The 2022 Matilda Awards were presented at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Tuesday 29 March. For more information, visit: www.matildaawards.com.au for details.
Image: Paul Dellit OAM – courtesy of Matilda AWards
MATILDA AWARDS 2022 WINNERS:
Best Video Design:
Craig Wilkinson – Boy Swallows Universe (Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Festival & QPAC)
Best Lighting Design:
Jason Glenwright – Your Song (The Little Red Company)
Sound Design:
Anna Whitaker & Ben Ely – Cowboy (Michael Smith & The Farm, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts)
Best Costume Design:
Briefs Factory – Dirty Laundry (Briefs Factory International)
Best Set Design:
Bill Haycock – Of Mice and Men (Ad Astra)
Best Director:
Sanja Simic – Naked & Screaming (La Boite Theatre)
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role:
Jodie Le Vesconte – Anatomy of a Suicide (Metro Arts & BC Productions Qld with e.g & Big Scary Animal)
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
Darcy Brown – Animal Farm (shake & stir theatre co & QPAC)
Best Female Actor in a Leading Role:
Emily Burton – Naked & Screaming (La Boite Theatre)
Best Male Actor in a Leading Role:
Jayden Popik – Mouthpiece (QPAC & Queensland Theatre)
Bille Brown Award – Best Emerging Artist:
Pierce Gordon – Against the Wall (Passion Productions)
Best Circus or Physical Theatre Work:
Ingress – Bridie Hooper
Best Musical or Cabaret:
Your Song – The Little Red Company
Best Independent Production:
Wilbur the Optical Whale – indelabilityarts, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts
Best Mainstage Production:
Naked & Screaming – La Boite Theatre
The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work:
Cowboy – Michael Smith & The Farm Michael Smith & The Farm, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts
Gold Matilda:
Paul Dellit OAM