WINNERS ARE GRINNERS AT THE 2009 HELPMANN AWARDS

The 9th Annual Helpmann Awards were held last night at Sydney’s Opera House. All theatre goers were out in force to support the arts at this annual event that has become quite a prestigious ceremony amongst the community. Yesterday there were a few reports about Caroline O’Connor not performing on the night anymore due to the fact that she was not nominated for an award. We think she is fabulous! Anyway, the show still went on with performances from the cast of Chicago, Avenue Q and Wicked plus a performance from the phenomenal Sydney Dance Company.
A special mention must go to Stephen Page for his work Mathinna which scored him Best in a Dance or Physical Production (look out for our interview with Stephen next week) as well as Sharon Millerchip who won Best Female Actor in A Musical for Chicago. Wicked took home Best Musical and Best Choreography in a Musical (Wayne Cilento).
Congratulations to Antony Hamilton and the beautiful Lana Jones who won Best Male and Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production.
For the full list of winners see below.
2009 Helpmann Award winners:
Best Costume Design: Susan Hilferty, Wicked
Best Scenic Design: Eugene Lee, Wicked
Best Lighting Design: Nick Schlieper, War of the Roses
Best Sound Design: Max Lyandvert, War of the Roses
Best Regional Touring Production: Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
Best Special Event: Sound Relief
Best Original Score: David Page, Mathinna
Best Music Direction: Richard Hickox, Billy Budd
Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production: Stephen Page, Mathinna
Best Choreography in a Musical: Wayne Cilento, Wicked
Best Direction of an Opera: Neil Armfield, Billy Budd
Best Direction of a Musical: Lisa Leguillou, Wicked
Best Direction of a Play: Benedict Andrews, War of the Roses
Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production: Compagnie Philippe Genty, Lands End
Best Contemporary Music Festival: Big Day Out 2009
Best Australian Contemporary Concert: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Best International Contemporary Concert: Leonard Cohen World Tour 2009
Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera: John Wegner, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera: Dominica Matthews, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play: Ewen Leslie, War of the Roses
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play: Marta Dusseldorp, War of the Roses
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Rob Guest, Wicked
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Nancye Hayes, My Fair Lady
Best Symphony Orchestra Concert: A Flowering Tree, Perth International Arts Festival/WA Opera/West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Best Chamber and Instrumental Ensemble Concert: Ecstatic Dances
Best Presentation for Children: The Promise, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus
Best New Australian Work: Eddie Perfect, Shane Warne The Musical
Best Comedy Performer: Tim Minchin, Tim Minchin – Ready For This?
Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production: Antony Hamilton, Two Faced Bastard
Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production: Lana Jones, Graeme Murphy’s Firebird
Best Individual Classical Performance: Pianist Herbert Schuch, The Beethoven Festival
Best Male Performer in an Opera: John Wegner, Billy Budd
Best Female Performer in an Opera: Tiffany Speight, The Coronation of Poppea
Best Male Actor in a Play: Ben Winspear, Baghdad Wedding
Best Female Actor in a Play: Robyn Nevin, Women of Troy
Best Male Actor in a Musical: Bille Brown, Monty Python’s Spamalot
Best Female Actor in a Musical: Sharon Millerchip, Chicago
Best Ballet or Dance Work: Mathinna, Bangarra Dance Theatre
Best Opera: Billy Budd, Opera Australia
Best Play: War of the Roses, Sydney Theatre Company
Best Musical: Wicked, Marc Platt, David Stone, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and John Frost.