Hey Guys!
It’s that time of year …..Helpmann time!
Last night the Helpmann Awards were held at the Lyric Theatre at Star City. All were frocked and freezing coming in from the wintery July chill, but it was a star studded turnout. I love that we get to celebrate and recognise all of those who create live Australian Theatre.
Last year I won a ‘Bobbie’ for best choreography for Hugh Jackman’s ‘The Boy From Oz’…this year I had the pleasure along with Jason Coleman, my mate from ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, of presenting the best Male and Female dancer award in a dance or Physical Theatre Production.
I always feel that we can really appreciate dance on Television, but there is nothing like seeing dance ‘live’ and feeling the energy hit you in the chest.
Paul White won best Male for his work in ‘Construct’ presented by the Sydney Festival, and Sara Black won best Female for ‘Glow’ by Chunky Move and the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
‘Best Choreography in a Musical’ went to Peter Darling for his work in Billy Elliot {which also took out best musical of the evening}, and ‘Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production’ went to Tanja Liedtke which was just fantastic.
As this is an abundant year in theatre there were lots of performances from the big musicals that are running at the moment. We got to see numbers from shows like ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Rocky Horror Show’, ‘Billy Elliot’ and Raphael Bonachella’s new work for Sydney Dance Company called ‘360 degrees’.
Highlights for me were an incredible performance by Vanessi Amarosi that had me sitting forward in my seat, and the Umbilical Brothers entertaining the live audience between commercial breaks! They were so much fun! Our host Jonathan Biggins had great wit and our pre broadcast host was the fabulous Julia Zemiro{who you would know from the ABC’s ‘Rock Quiz’ and ‘Eurobeat’} who was just hilarious!
Anyway it was a fantastic evening and afterwards all the glitz and glamour sasheyed into the after party for lots of theatre lovey mwah’s and bubbly! My regular Choreographic Assistant, Leanne Cherny and I, did a few laps of the party and bumped shoulders with the likes of Cate Blanchett and Kate Cebrano. Then it came time to face the cold taxi queue……boo!
The Helpmann’s….Our Tony’s…………..over for another year. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings in fine ‘live’ entertainment.
I am so proud to be involved in our Australian Live Theatre family………..but I really shouldn’t have worn those stilettos……my feet hurt!
KELLEY X
Photo: Jason Coleman, Kelley Abbey and ‘Best Male Danncer Winner’ Paul White.
