BWW Reviews: HELPMANN AWARDS 2014 Announced at Sydney's Capitol Theatre

Reviewed Monday 18th August 2014, 7:30pm, Capitol Theatre Sydney

The 2014 Helpmann Awards ceremony moved to the Capitol Theatre, the current home for Disney THE LION KING and utilised their amazing set. The Helpmann Awards, which has recognised the achievements in live performance in Australia since 2001, is the Australian industry's equivalent of the Tony Awards and the Olivier Awards. Honouring the achievements of Sir Robert Helpmann, the awards were established by Live Performance Australia to recognise, celebrate and promote the live performance industry.

The ceremony, which was be broadcast on FOXTEL's Arena, started with a full company performance of The Circle of Life from Disney's THE LION KING which was received with delight by the audience as the puppets moved through the audience to the stage, including the life sized elephant. The night also included performances from shows currently running in Sydney and Melbourne including the energetic company song and dance of A Life Lived in Fear from Baz Luhrmann's STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, a medley from Opera Australia's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I including two Kings in the form of Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Lou Diamond Phillips, the cast of children, Lisa McCune as Anna Leonowens and Shu-Cheen Yu as Lady Thiang. The evening was finished with a stirring cast performance of One Day More from Cameron Mackintosh's LES MISERABLES including the Thenardier's in the dress circle.

The night also included a delightfully fresh take on Singin' in the Rain by Djuki Mala's CHOOKY DANCERS which fused the 1952 classic with modern and traditional Aboriginal Australian dance and the comedy of the Yolngu Culture. 2009 AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT winner, Mark Vincent provided an interpretation of Beyonce's Halo in recognition of the Best International Contemporary Concert category. Adelaide's Zephyr Quartet Dirt, composed by violinist and quartet member Belinda Gehlert provided a quieter moment and Taryn Fiebig and Dominic Grimshaw's rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu from REQUIEM provided a perfect backdrop for the "In Memoriam" part of the night. Characters from Australian Politics were scattered through the award presenters including 'Bob Carr', 'Anabelle Crabb', 'Paul Keating' and 'Julia Gillard' and in a solo number from "Kevin Rudd" in the form of The Sydney Theatre Company's THE WHARF REVUE impersonators, providing some political satire.

Actor, singer, director, writer and comedian Jonathan Biggins played host for the 2014 Helpmann Awards ceremony. Biggins was joined by award presenters including Geoffrey Rush, Nancye Hayes AM, Lucy Durack, Simon Gleeson, Russell Dykstra, Pamela Rabe, Danielle Cormack, Simon Burke, Helen Dallimore, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Craig McLachlan, Robert Grubb, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Linden Wilkinson, Kelley Abbey, James Reyne OAM, Deborah Conway, Lucinda Dunn OAM, Gale Edwards, John Robertson OAM, Craig Hassall, Martin Crewes, David McAllister AM, Rafael Bonachela, Luke Carroll, John Tiffany and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Whilst most of the winners of the "Bobby", as the Helpmann Awards are affectionately known, were not known until the night, a few awards had been announced prior to the Awards ceremony. John Frost AM was named as the recipient of the 2014 JC Williamson Award at an event at Queensland Performing Arts Centre on 19 May 2014 in recognition of his immense contribution to the performing arts and live entertainment industry in Australia. Frost has been in the industry since the age of 16 and worked up through the industry to become the producer of many of Australia's musical theatre events amongst other achievements. The presentation at the Helpmann Awards included a video from Dame Julie Andrews congratulating Frost on his achievement.

Patricia Boggs had also been pre-announced as the recipient of the first Sue Nattrass Award for outstanding service to the live performance industry in Australia. The new award has been named to commemorate the lifetime service that Sue Nattrass AO provided to the live performance industry and highlights services in fields that aren't as widely recognised such as the administrators, teachers, historians, marketers, and archivists. Boggs has held many positions in the industry and is considered "Australia's best and most respected" Ticketing consultant. Sue Nattrass presented the award to Patricia Boggs and Cameron Mackintosh provided his congratulations via video.

Destination Sydney was awarded Best Special Event Award for VIVID SYDNEY 2013. VIVID SYDNEY was a 3 week event that utilised buildings, landmarks and Sydney Harbour as a canvas for a light and sound show across over 130 events.

Helpmann Awards 2014 Nominees and Winners

Best Costume Design:

Catherine Martin STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

Gabriela Tylesova ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Sydney Theatre Company

Gabriela Tylesova THE TURK IN ITALY Opera Australia

Roger Kirk THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost **WINNER**

Best Lighting Design

Geoff Cobham PINOCCHIO Windmill theatre and State Theatre Company of South Australia

Matt Scott NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Nick Schlieper ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Sydney Theatre Company **WINNER**

Nigel Levings THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost

Best Music Direction

Andrew Worboys SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Niel Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co.

Fabian Russell NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Nicolette Fraillon CINDERELLA The Australian Ballet

Pietari Inkinen THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

Best Original Score

David Chisholm THE BLOODY CHAMBER Malthouse Theatre

David Page & Paul Mac 'BLAK' Bangarra Dance Theatre

Iain Grandage WHEN TIME STOPS Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre **WINNER**

Jethro Woodward PINOCCHIO Windmill Theatre & State Theatre Company of South Australia

Nick Wales AM I produced by Shaun Parker & Company in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival and Melbourne Festival

Best Scenic Design

Brian Thomson THE KING AND I Opera Australia and John Frost

Gabriela Tylesova ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Sydney Theatre Company **WINNER**

Jonathan Oxlade PINOCCHIO Windmill Theatre & State Theatre Company of South Australia

Robert Cousins THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia

Best Sound Design

Jessica James-Moody SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co.

Jethro Woodward THE BLOODY CHAMBER Malthouse Theatre

Michael Waters THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost **WINNER**

Tony David Cray HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR MADAM BUTTERFLY Opera Australia

Best Australia Contemporary Concert

TAME IMPALA Tame Impala and Chugg Entertainment

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FEATURING THE PRESETS Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Presets, Destination NSW and Sydney Opera House

HUNTERS & COLLECTORS Hunters & Collectors, Frontier Touring and Roundhouse Entertainment **WINNER**

FLUME - INFINITY PRISIM TOUR Flume, Future Classic, Lunatic Entertainment & Chugg Entertainment

Best Contemporary Music Festival

BLUESFEST BYRON BAY 2014 Bluesfest **WINNER**

VIVID LIVE Destination NSW and Sydney Opera House

LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2014 Lunatic Entertainment & Chugg Entertainment

THE FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Ash Sounds Pty Ltd

Best International Contemporary Concert

THE MRS CARTER SHOW WORLD TOUR STARRING BEYONCE Beyonce and Live Nation

EDDIE VEDDER Eddie Vedder & Chugg Entertainment

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND 2014 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band & Frontier Touring **WINNER**

THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE TOUR Pink & Live Nation

Best Direction of an Opera

Chas Rader-Sheiber ORLANDO Hobart Baroque

Neil Armfield THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

Roger Hodgmann NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Simon Phillips THE TURK IN ITALY Opera Australia

Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera

Eva Jinhee Kong NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Jacqueline Dark THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

Miriam Gordon-Stewart THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia

Best Female Performer in an Opera

Christine Goerke ELEKTRA Sydney Symphony Orchestra **WINNER**

Emma Matthews THE TURK IN ITALY Opera Australia

Jessica Pratt LA TRAVIATA Victorian Opera

Kathryn Lewek ORLANDO Hobart Baroque

Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera

Andrew Collis CINDERELLA Opera Queensland

Daniel Samegi THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE

Mario Bellanova LA TRAVIATA State Opera of South Australia, New Zealand Opera, Opera Queensland

Warwick Fyfe THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

Best Male Performer in an Opera

Barry Ryan NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Riccardo Massi LA FORZA DEL DESTINO Opera Australia

Stefan Vinke THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia

Terje Stensvold THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

Yanghoon Lee TOSCA Opera Australia

Best Opera

TURK IN ITALY Opera Australia

THE MELBOURNE RING CYCLE Opera Australia **WINNER**

LA TRAVIATA State Opera of South Australia, New Zealand Opera and Opera Queensland

NIXON IN CHINA Victorian Opera

Best Chamber and/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert

THE JERUSALEM PROJECT Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney Opera House **WINNER**

TOKYO STRING QUARTET Musica Viva Australia

AKADEMIE FUR ALTE MUSIK BERLIN Sydney Festival

MURRAY PERAHIA IN RECITAL Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Best Symphony Orchestra Concert

ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA Arts Centre Melbourne, Perth Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and Sydney Opera House **WINNER**

BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO Australian Chamber Orchestra

WAR REQUIEM Sydney Symphony Orchestra

ASHER FISCH CONDUCTS AND PLAYS MOZART West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Best Individual Classical Music Performance

Andreas Scholl ANDREAS SCHOLL SINGS VIVALDI Australian Chamber Orchestra

Julia Lezhneva JULIA LEZHNEVA WITH THE TASMANIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Hobart Baroque **WINNER**

Mariss Jansons ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA Arts Centre Melbourne, Perth Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Sydney Opera House

Murray Perahia MURRAY PERAHIA Melbourne Recital Centre in association with Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Best Comedy Performer

Ronny Chieng CHIENG REACTION Century Entertainment

Sam Simmons SAM SIMMONS - DEATH OF A SAILS - MAN Token Events **WINNER**

The Boy with Tape on His Face THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE: MORE TAPE Live Nation & Gag Reflex

Tom Gleeson TOM GLEESON - QUALITY Token Events

Best Cabaret Performer

Jerick Hoffer (as Jinkx Monsoon) THE VAUDEVILLIANS STARRING JINKX MONSOON Strut & Fret Production House

Lady Rizo LADY RIZO Presented by Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Sydney Festival

Sarah Ward YANA ALANA BETWEEN THE CRACKS Ebony Bott at fortyfivedownstairs **WINNER**

Tommy Bradson REG Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Best Ballet or Dance Work

SADEH21 Adelaide Festival & Perth International Arts Festival

BOLSHOI BALLET - THE BRIGHT STREAM Queensland Performing Arts Centre

CHROMA The Australian Ballet **WINNER**

BALLET AT THE QUARRY : RADIO AND JULIET West Australian Ballet

Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production

Daniel Jaber NOUGHT Australian Dance Theatre

Garry Stewart MONUMENT The Australian Ballet

Natalie Weir WHEN TIME STOPS Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Rafael Bonachela LES ILLUMINATIONS Co-commissioned by Sydney Dance Company and Sydney Opera House

Stephanie Lake A SMALL PROMETHEUS Melbourne Festival, Arts House and Insite Arts **WINNER**

Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production

Charmene Yap '2 IN D MINOR' AS PART OF 'INTERPLAY' Sydney Dance Company **WINNER**

Dalisa Pigram GUDIRR GUDIRR Produced by Marrugeku. Presented by Sydney Festival

Fiona Evans ONEGIN West Australian Ballet

Lucinda Dunn OAM MANON The Australian Ballet

Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production

Andre Santos RUSSELL KERR'S PETER PAN West Australian Ballet

Daniel Gaudiello CINDERELLA The Australian Ballet

James Vu Anh Pham 247 DAYS Chunky Move **WINNER**

Kimball Wong NOUGHT Australian Dance Theatre

Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production

OPUS Circa, A Nuits de Fourviere production/ Departement du Rhone, coproduced with Les Theatres de la ville de Luxembourge, GREC Festival of Barcelona, le Cirue-Theatre d'Elbeuf, Dusseldorf Festival, Barbican Theatre, CACCV Espace Jean Legendre-Compiegne. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Brisbane Festival, Perth International Arts Festival and Melbourne Festival.

WHELPING BOX Branch Nebula, Matt Prest & Clare Britton, produced by Intimate Spectacle and Performing Lines, presented by Performance Space & Arts House **WINNER**

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (AS YOU LIKE IT) Perth International Arts Festival

CIRCUS UNDER MY BED Sydney Opera House, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus

Best Regional Touring Production

G Australian Dance Theatre

JACK CHARLES VS THE CROWN Ilbijerri Theatre Company **WINNER**

DJUKI MALA Joshua Bond

HAPPY AS LARRY Shaun Parker & Company

Best Presentation for Children

MISS OPHELIA Arts Centre Melbourne and Sydney Opera House

STORM BOY Barking Gecko Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company

WULAMANAYUWI & THE SEVEN PAMANUI Darwin Festival & Performing Lines

THE HOUSE WHERE WINTER LIVES Perth International Arts Festival

PINOCCHIO Windmill Theatre & State Theatre Company of South Australia **WINNER**

Best Direction of a Play

Andrew Upton WAITING FOR GODOT State Theatre Company

Ivo Van Hove ROMAN TRAGEDIES Adelaide Festival

Michael Kantor THE SHADOW KING Malthouse Theatre in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals - Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Perth International Arts Festival and Sydney Festival **WINNER**

Sam Strong THE FLOATING WORLD Griffin Theatre Company

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play

Elizabeth Debicki THE MAIDS Sydney Theatre Company

Robyn Nevin ANGELS IN AMERICA Belvoir **WINNER**

Susan Prior SMALL AND TIRED Belvoir

Zahara Newman THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Belvoir & Malthouse Theatre

Best Female Actor in a Play

Alison Whyte THE BLOODY CHAMBER Malthouse Theatre

Cate Blanchett THE MAIDS Sydney Theatre Company **WINNER**

Ursula Yovich MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN Queensland Theatre Company and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Zahara Newman THE MOUNTAINTOP Melbourne Theatre Company

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play

Ewen Leslie ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Sydney Theatre Company

Jimi Bani THE SHADOW KING Malthouse Theatre in association ith the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals - Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Perth International Arts Festival and Sydney Festival

Luke Mullins WAITING FOR GODOT Sydney Theatre Company **WINNER**

Tom Budge THE BEAST Melbourne Theatre Company

Best Male Actor in a Play

Denis O'Hare AN ILIAD Adelaide Festival and Perth International Arts Festival

Luke Carroll THE CAKE MAN Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and Belvoir

Paul Blackwell VERE (FAITH) State Theatre Company of South Australia & Sydney Theatre Company

Richard Roxburgh WAITING FOR GODOT Sydney Theatre Company **WINNER**

Best Play

ROMAN TRAGEDIES Adelaide Festival

ANGELS IN AMERICA Belvoir **WINNER**

WAITING FOR GODOT Sydney Theatre Company

THE SHADOW KING Malthouse Theatre in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals - Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Perth International Arts Festival and Sydney Festival

Best Choreography in a Musical

Andrew Hallsworth SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co. **WINNER**

David Atkins & Dein Perry HOT SHOE SHUFFLE David Atkins Enterprises

John O'Connell STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

Susan Kikuchi THE KING & I Opera Australia & John Frost

Best Direction of a Musical

Baz Luhrmann STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

Christopher Renshaw THE KING AND I Opera Australia and John Frost

Dean Bryant SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co. **WINNER**

Rosemary Myers PINOCCHIO Windmill Theatre & State Theatre Company of South Australia

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Debora Krizak SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co.

Heather Mitchell STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures **WINNER**

Lucy Maunder GREASE John Frost

Shu-Cheen Yu THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost

Best Female Actor in a Musical

Caroline O'Connor GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE The Production Company (Aust) Ltd

Lisa McCune THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost

Phoebe Panaretos STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

Verity Hunt-Ballard SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co **WINNER**

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Drew Forsythe STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

Marty Rhone THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost

Reg Livermore WICKED Marc Platt, David Stone, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, John Frost **WINNER**

Russell Dykstra, THE LION KING Disney Theatrical Productions

Best Male Actor in a Musical

Craig McLachlan RICHARD O'BRIEN'S ROCKY HORROR SHOW Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group & John Frost **WINNER**

Josh Quong Tart THE LION KING Disney Theatrical Productions

Martin Crewes SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co

Matt Hetherington DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS James Anthony Productions

Best Musical

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL Global Creatures

RICHARD O'BRIEN'S ROCKY HORROR SHOW Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group & John Frost

SWEET CHARITY Luckiest Productions & Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co

THE KING & I Opera Australia and John Frost **WINNER**

Best New Australian Work

Jason De Santis & Eamon Flack WULAMANAYUWI & THE SEVEN PAMANUI Darwin Festival and Performing Lines

Tom E Lewis and Michael Kantor THE SHADOW KING Malthouse Theatre in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals - Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival, Perth International Arts Festival and Sydney Festival

Tom Wright THE BLACK DIGGERS Produced by Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Festival in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals. Presented by Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival, Queensland Theatre Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Rosemary Myers PINOCCHIO Windmill Theatre & State Theatre Company of South Australia **WINNER**

Best Special Event Award

Destination NSW VIVID SYDNEY 2013

Brian Stacey Award for Emerging Australian Conductors

Russell Ger

JC Williamson Award

John Frost OAM

Sue Nattrass Award

Patricia Boggs

Sir Robert Helpmann (1909 - 1986), made his stage debut in 1922 at the Theatre Royal in Adelaide as a soloist in THE UGLY DUCKLING. From this beginning, the Mount Gambier dancer went on to make major contributions to ballet both on stage as a dancer and as a choreographer and director. He also became an actor, appearing on stage, film and television and directing plays and operas along with being a singer. His work lives on through movies such as THE RED SHOES (1948) and THE TALES OF HOFFMANn (1953) which showcases his choreography and ONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT IS MISSING (1941) and HENRY V (1944) as an actor. In addition to other positions, Helpmann became co-artistic director for the Australian Ballet in 1965 with Dame Peggy van Praagh and was appointed sole artistic director in 1975 until 1976 and worked with the Adelaide Festival of Arts in 1968 as a consultant and in 1970 as Artistic Director. He continued working long after many others would have retired and made his final stage appearance as the Red King in Australian Ballet's production of CHECKMATE in July 1986 at the age of 77. He received a Queen Elizabeth II Coranation Award in 1953, the Royal Order of the Polar Star in 2954 from Sweden and was made a Knight of the Cedar in 1957 from Lebanon. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1964, named Australian of the Year in 1965 and knighted in 1968.

Helpmann Awards

FOXTEL ArenaTV Channel 105, 9:30pm EST.

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