The 2018 Helpmann Award winners have arrived, with acclaimed production Muriel’s Wedding The Musical picking up a total of five wins, while Gotye, Paul McCartney and more also claimed awards.
Split across two nights, this year’s event once again shone a spotlight on Australia’s vibrant entertainment industry, unveiling an eclectic list of winners at Capitol Theatre in Sydney.
With music by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, Muriel's Wedding took out Best Original Score, Best Costume, Best Choreography, Best Music Direction and Best Sound Design, while theatre production Bennelong also scored big, winning Best New Australian Work, Best Dance Production and four others.
Boomerang director and curator, Rhoda Roberts AO, was also announced as a recipient of the 2017 Centenary Sue Nattrass Award, which recognises outstanding service to the live performance industry.
Bluesfest director Peter Noble OAM congratulated Roberts on the award, saying, "Her commitment to assist Bluesfest in staging the most potent and inclusive series of Boomerang ‘Festivals within a festival’ at Bluesfest each year is one more testament to her outstanding achievements in the indigenous arts community worldwide".
Meanwhile, Gotye’s tribute to Jean-Jacques Perrey picked up Best Australian Contemporary Concert, after visiting Sydney Festival and Mona Foma - the latter of which was awarded Best Contemporary Music Festival - and Celia Pacquola topped the Best Comedy Performer category.
With his acclaimed One On One 2017 Aussie visit, Paul McCartney took down pop superstar Ed Sheeran to win Best International Contemporary Concert, while New York cabaret artist Taylor Mac picked up Best Cabaret Performer and Special Event for A 24-Decade History Of Popular Music.
“This year’s winners have made such a positive impact on our artistic and cultural experiences, and I extend my congratulations to all of them for their wonderful contribution to the industry,” NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said.
Head over to the Helpmann Awards website for the full list of winners.
Comments