Matilda the Musical wins record 13 awards at 2016 Helpmann Awards 2016

Matilda the Musical has taken out a record 13 Helpmann Awards including the prestigious Best Musical title at the 16th annual event, while Stephen Page of the Bangarra Dance Company, has been has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry.

The premier celebration of Australia's theatre and live performance industry was dominated by Matilda the Musical, with a record 13 titles won including best original score for Tim Minchin, as well as best direction, choreography and music direction.

Best male actor in a musical went to Matilda's James Millar, while best female actor in a musical was shared by eight young performers who took on the title role in the show.

It also received honours for its sound, lighting, scenic and costume design.

Matilda Producer Louise Withers said the musical employed 200 Australian artists, crew, musicians and technicians, and she thanked the Helpmann Awards for "honouring and loving" the show.

On accepting his award for best original score, Minchin said Matilda's "amazing" recognition at the awards was acknowledgement of the success of local production.

Minchin stated "the production here is amazing, this industry is second to none in the world in all sides of the curtain," he said.

He also used the opportunity to pay tribute to the Bangarra Dance Company’s late Music Director David Page, who died unexpectedly in April.

Minchin stated "I want to honour David Page who was an incredible man, an incredible composer, sound designer, actor, singer and breaker-down of boundaries and hurdles and I just want to acknowledge the loss to the Page family and Bangarra.”

David Page's brother, Stephen Page, was awarded the 2016 JC Williamson Award for outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia's live performance culture.

Page has been the artistic director at the Bangarra Dance Theatre for 25 years and has choreographed 23 works for the company.

Held in front of a packed house at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the 2016 Helpmann Awards were hosted by Chloe Dallimore, Helen Dallimore, Stuart Maunder AM, Guy Noble, Simon Phillips, The Umbilical Brothers and Queenie van de Zandt as ‘Jan van de Stool’. The celebrations continued after the ceremony as guests enjoyed an After Party at Marquee Sydney, The Star.

The high-profile line-up of Presenters included Kellie Dickerson, Tim Draxl, Marta Dusseldorp, Tim Finn, Antoinette Halloran, Noni Hazlehurst, Erika Heynatz, Celia Ireland, Tim Minchin, Hunter Page-Lochard, Katrina Milosevic, Milijana Nikolic, Eddie Perfect, Aurélien Scannella, The Hon Jillian Skinner MP and Toby Thatcher.

At the ceremony, the 2016 Helpmann Award winners were announced in the categories of comedy, cabaret, children’s presentation, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry, musicals, opera and classical music, regional touring and theatre.

Awards previously announced and presented live on stage tonight included a special award given to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Comedy in Australia, the JC Williamson Award® and the Sue Nattrass Award®, presented to Michael Lynch which honours exceptional service to the Australian live performance industry.

Among other awards, WOMADelaide was named Best Contemporary Music Festival; the Australian Theatre for Young People and Performing Lines won Best Regional Touring Production and Prince's 'Piano and a Microphone' 2016 tour, presented by the Dainty Group and ICO ApS was named Best International Contemporary Concert.

The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA).

Commenting on the night, LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson stated “we are proud to present the 16th Annual Helpmann Awards tonight. The breadth of winners, nominees and performances at tonight’s ceremony shines a spotlight on Australia’s world-class creative and artistic talent.”

The ceremony was broadcast live on Foxtel Arts and is available via webcast at www.foxtelarts.com.au until 25th August.

Click here to view a full list of winners.

Images; Matilda: The Musical (top) and David Page (below).

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