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The Secret River wins Helpmann best play award The Secret River wins Helpmann best play award
(about 2 months later)
Sydney Theatre Company’s ambitious production of The Secret River won six Helpmann awards on Monday night, including the prize for best play, while Melbourne’s King Kong received multiple technical awards.Sydney Theatre Company’s ambitious production of The Secret River won six Helpmann awards on Monday night, including the prize for best play, while Melbourne’s King Kong received multiple technical awards.
Legally Blonde: the Musical took out the top award for best musical, as well as four other awards, while Opera Australia won for its production of Salome.Legally Blonde: the Musical took out the top award for best musical, as well as four other awards, while Opera Australia won for its production of Salome.
The Helpmann awards, which recognise the Australian live entertainment industry, were held at Sydney Opera House, and hosted by Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan-Browne.The Helpmann awards, which recognise the Australian live entertainment industry, were held at Sydney Opera House, and hosted by Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan-Browne.
The Secret River, a colonial-era play adapted from Kate Grenville’s 2005 book, also earned awards for composer Ian Grandage (best music direction and best original score), director Neil Armfield (best direction of a play), actor Colin Moody (best male actor in a supporting role in a play), and Andrew Bovell for his adaption of Grenville’s work (best new Australian work).The Secret River, a colonial-era play adapted from Kate Grenville’s 2005 book, also earned awards for composer Ian Grandage (best music direction and best original score), director Neil Armfield (best direction of a play), actor Colin Moody (best male actor in a supporting role in a play), and Andrew Bovell for his adaption of Grenville’s work (best new Australian work).
King Kong –the creature itself – was deemed impressive enough to warrant a brand new award. It was rewarded for outstanding theatrical achievement in the design, creation and operation of the six-metre tall, animatronic gorilla which weighs in at over a tonne and is capable of an array of facial expressions.King Kong –the creature itself – was deemed impressive enough to warrant a brand new award. It was rewarded for outstanding theatrical achievement in the design, creation and operation of the six-metre tall, animatronic gorilla which weighs in at over a tonne and is capable of an array of facial expressions.
King Kong also swept the technical categories, winning for lighting, costumes, sound and scenery.King Kong also swept the technical categories, winning for lighting, costumes, sound and scenery.
The best musical award was given to Legally Blonde, which also won the award for best female actor in a musical – for its star, Lucy Durack, along with best choreography and best musical direction.The best musical award was given to Legally Blonde, which also won the award for best female actor in a musical – for its star, Lucy Durack, along with best choreography and best musical direction.
Geoffrey Rush was awarded best male actor in a musical for his work in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.Geoffrey Rush was awarded best male actor in a musical for his work in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Best male and female actor in a play awards went to Colin Friels, for Death of A Salesman, and Alison Bell, for her star turn in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.Best male and female actor in a play awards went to Colin Friels, for Death of A Salesman, and Alison Bell, for her star turn in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.
Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Terrain won awards for best dance work and best female dancer.Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Terrain won awards for best dance work and best female dancer.
The 24th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest won for best contemporary music festival.The 24th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest won for best contemporary music festival.
Kylie Minogue and arts philanthropist David Blenkinsop were jointly awarded the JC Williamson award for their outstanding contributions to the Australian live entertainment industry.Kylie Minogue and arts philanthropist David Blenkinsop were jointly awarded the JC Williamson award for their outstanding contributions to the Australian live entertainment industry.
The Helpmann awards were presented by a number of Australian celebrities, including Baz Luhrmann, Tina Arena, Sarah Murdoch and Hugh Sheridan.The Helpmann awards were presented by a number of Australian celebrities, including Baz Luhrmann, Tina Arena, Sarah Murdoch and Hugh Sheridan.
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