Act 1 Helpmann Award Winners Announced

This year, for the very first time, 43 Helpmann Awards are being presented across two nights and two events in Melbourne, at the Victorian home of the performing arts, Arts Centre Melbourne.

From 6pm Sunday 14 July, the first 20 Helpmann Awards were presented at the 2019 Helpmann Awards Act I, an intimate, industry-only cocktail hour event.

The winners were announced for the best creative, designer and supporting roles, as well as the Awards for Best Presentation for Children and Young People, Best Regional Touring Production and Best Special Event in front of an industry A-list crowd. In addition, the 2019 Sue Nattrass Award for outstanding service to the live performance industry was presented to Liz Jones AO, long serving Artistic Director of Melbourne's La Mama Theatre.

The list of winners announced during the Helpmann Awards Act I is below!

The 2019 Helpmann Awards Act I saw the gravitas of Australia's most prestigious live theatre and entertainment awards meet the atmosphere of a sophisticated jazz lounge, for an up close, upbeat, exclusive industry-only night to remember.

Hosted by the legendary performer, writer, artistic director and national treasure, Robyn Archer AO, the evening's presenters included industry favourites Annie Aitken, Casey Bennetto, Tony Briggs, Uncle Jack Charles, Ako Kondo, Matt Lee, Ali McGregor, Natalie O'Donnell, Gareth Reeves, Graeme Russell, Claire Spencer, Anne Wood and the legendary punk rock duo from Die Roten Punkte, Otto and Astrid Rot.

The evening's performances included The Jack Earle Jazz Trio, the dazzling Rhonda Burchmore OAM, the silky soulful voice of Marcus Corowa, Australia's most prolific Torres Strait Islander entertainer Christine Anu and the musical theatre leading men Matt Lee and Rob Mills of Swing on This.

The Helpmann Awards are the premier celebration of Australia's vibrant live performance industry. The Awards recognize distinguished achievement and excellence in Australia's live performance sectors including musicals, contemporary music, comedy, opera and classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentations for children and young people, regional touring and cabaret.

The remaining 23 Awards will be presented at The Helpmann Awards Act II on Monday 15 July at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. The Helpmann Awards Act II will be broadcast live on ABC Comedy on Monday 15 July at 8pm. Highlights from tonight's Act I will also be included in the broadcast.

For further information and a full list of nominees: www.helpmannawards.com.au

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Helpmann Awards Act 1 Winners

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play - Vaishnavi Suryaprakash, Counting & Cracking

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play - Paul Blackwell, Faith Healer

Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera - Tom Erik Lie, Komische Oper Berlin's The Magic Flute

Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera - Taryn Fiebig, Metamorphosis

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Tony Sheldon, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The New Musical

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Elaine Crombie, Barbara and the Camp Dogs

Best Costume Design - Gabriela Tylesova, Twelfth Night

Best Scenic Design - Dale Ferguson, Counting & Cracking

Best Lighting Design - Neil Austin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts One and Two)

Best Sound Design - Stefan Gregory, Counting & Cracking

Best Music Direction - Erin Helyard, Artaserse

Best Original Score - Ursula Yovich, Alana Valentine, and Adm Ventoura, Barbara and the Camp Dogs

Best Special Event - Dark Mofo 2018, Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)

Best Presentation For Children and Young People - Robot Song, Arena Theatre Company

Best Regional Touring Production - Bennelong, Bangarra Dance Theatre

Best Choreography in a Ballet, Dance, or Physical Theatre Production - Antony Hamilton, Forever & Ever

Best Choreography in a Musical - Malik Le Nost and Mitchell Woodcock, Saturday Night Fever

Best Direction of an Opera - Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade, Komische Oper Berlin's The Magic Flute

Best Direction of a Musical - Francesca Zambello, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story

Best Direction of a Play - Eamon Flash and S. Shakthidharan, Counting & Cracking