The Arts Centre in Melbourne was the place to be last night for Act Two of the 2019 Helpmann Awards. Hosted by Susie Youssef and Mitchell Butel, the star-studded event recognised artistic excellence across the many disciplines of Australia’s live performance sectors.
Awards were given in the following categories: ballet, dance and physical theatre, cabaret, comedy, contemporary music, industry, musicals, opera and classical music, presentation for children and young people, regional touring, and theatre.
Named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann, to commemorate his memory and achievements, the awards are now in their 19th year. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA) to recognise, celebrate and promote our live performance industry, similar to the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London.
The full list of nominees and winners can be found on the Helpmann Awards website. The winners of each category are as follows:
Best Ballet
The Australian Ballet
Best Choreography in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Antony Hamilton
Best Female Dancer in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Tara Jade Samaya
Best Male Dancer in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Waangenga Blanco
Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production
Gravity and Other Myths
Best Dance Production
Australian Dance Theatre
Best Cabaret Performer
Ali McGregor
Best Comedy Performer
Hannah Gadsby
Best Australian Contemporary Concert
Tim Minchin and Live Nation Australasia
Best International Contemporary Concert
David Byrne and Frontier Touring
Best Contemporary Music Festival
Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)
Best Costume Design
Gabriella Tylesova
Best Lighting Design
Neil Austin
Best Music Direction
Erin Helyard
Best New Australian Work
S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack
Best Original Score
Ursula Yovich, Alana Valentine and Adm Ventoura
Best Scenic Design
Dale Ferguson
Best Sound Design
Stefan Gregory
Best Special Event
Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)
Best Choreography in a Musical
Malik Le Nost & Mitchell Woodcock
Best Direction of a Musical
Malik Le Nost & Mitchell Woodcock
Best Female Actor in a Musical
Ursula Yovich
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Elaine Crombie
Best Male Actor in a Musical
Brent Hill
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Tony Sheldon
Best Musical
Barbara and the Camp Dogs
Belvoir in association with Vicki Gordon Music Productions Pty Ltd
Best Chamber and/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert
Melbourne Recital Centre and State Opera of South Australia
Best Direction of an Opera
Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade
Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera
Taryn Fiebig
Best Female Performer in an Opera
Lise Lindstrom
Best Individual Classical Music Performance
Asher Fisch
Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera
Tom Erik Lie
Best Male Performer in an Opera
Michael Honeyman
Best Opera
Arts Projects Australia, Adelaide Festival and Perth Festival
Best Symphony Orchestra Concert
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Best Presentation for Children and Young People
Arena Theatre Company
Best Regional Touring Production
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Best Direction of a Play
Eamon Flack and S. Shakthidharan
Best Female Actor in a Play
Kate Mulvany
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Vaishnavi Suryaprakash
Best Male Actor in a Play
Prakash Belawadi
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Paul Blackwell
Best Production of a Play
Belvoir & Co-Curious
