2012 Helpmann Awards

Australia’s answer to the Tony Awards, our very own Helpmann Awards, were held last night at the Sydney Opera House.  Held annually, these awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement throughout Australia’s varied performing arts sectors.

This year opera featured significantly, in particular Opera Australia’s celebrated outdoor production of Verdi’s La Traviata, which picked up four awards including Emma Matthews for Best Female Performer in an Opera and Brian Thomson for Best Scenic Design; it’s production Of Mice and Men also picked up a few awards, with tenor Anthony Dean Griffey winning Best Male Performer in an Opera.

State Opera of South Australia fared well too with it's production of Mobey Dick, Leonard Foflia winning Best Direction of an Opera and Grant Doyle for Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera.

West Australian Opera received only one award this year, which went to Orla Boylan for Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera in her role of Chrysothemis in this year’s monumental Elektra.

Congratulations also go out to Paul Capsis who won Best Male Actor in a Play for Angela’s Kitchen, Cate Blanchett for Best Female Actor in a Play for Gross und Klein and State Opera of South Australia for Best Opera with Moby Dick. Meow Meow won Best Cabaret Performer and Tim Minchin, Best Comedy Performer.

For a full list of winners for this year’s awards check out the website.  Well done to all nominees, the calibre of talent that Australia produces in the Performing Arts makes me proud.