Queensland performing arts celebrated at 2019 Matilda Awards

Queensland performing arts have been recognised at the 2019 Matilda Awards held at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night. The Matilda Awards honour actors, designers, directors, playwrights, companies along with members of creative teams.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch congratulated all the nominees and recipients for their outstanding work while noting “the annual Matilda Awards are a chance to celebrate the quality and diversity of the state’s theatre scene, and the impressive vitality and breadth of this year’s nominees and winners.

“I’m pleased to see the 2019 Awards recognise new productions and emerging practitioners alongside the work of Queensland’s established performing arts organisations.”

Minister Enoch presented the Gold Matilda Award to shake & stir theatre company for creating mainstage and in-school productions of excellence, touring Australia and New Zealand since 2006.

Founded in 2006, shake & stir is one of Australia’s leading contemporary theatre companies, touring its bold and exciting productions nationally and internationally and often using comedy to address social issues.

Winners were crowned in 19 categories, including the new QUT Creative Industries Backstage Award for outstanding work from technicians, stage managers and other behind-the-scenes workers, and this year it was awarded to stage manager and tour producer, Tanya Malouf.

Matilda Awards Chair, Deb Wilks, said the event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible array of theatre talent in the state adding “The Matilda Awards is now the ‘night of nights’ for the Queensland arts sector, bringing together our arts leaders, students and emerging artists.

“The ceremony highlights the value of the arts to the wider Queensland community as it grows in stature every year.”

Minister Enoch enthused “we have a lot to celebrate about the performing arts, with our state theatre company, Queensland Theatre, marking its 50th anniversary this year, and our independent sector and emerging artists producing bold and brilliant work."

Image: shake &stir - recipient of the Gold Matilda. shake & stir’s multi-award winning production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm returns to Brisbane in 2020.
Image courtesy of Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Matilda Awards 2019 Winners

Best Video Design: Craig Wilkinson and Jon Weber, Fantastic Mr Fox

Best Lighting Design: Geoff Squires, Inside Out

Best Sound Design/Composition: Luke Smiles and Anna Whitaker, Throttle

Best Costume Design: Libby McDonnell, Orpheus and Eurydice

Best Set Design: Josh McIntosh, Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts

Best Director: Daniel Evans, Cinderella

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Susie French, A Girl’s Guide to World War

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Thomas Larkin, Death of a Salesman

Best Female Actor in a Leading Role: Amy Ingram, Cinderella

Best Male Actor in a Leading Role: Richard Lund, Kelly

Bille Brown Award – Best Emerging Artist: Gina Tay Limpus, The Tempest and La Silhouette

Best Circus or Physical Theatre Work: Inside Out, Tammy Zarb and Company

Best Independent Production: La Silhouette, Sui Ensemble

Best Musical or Cabaret: Fangirls, Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Festival and Belvoir in association with ATYP

Best Mainstage Production: Death of a Salesman, Queensland Theatre

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work: A Girl’s Guide to World War, Katy Forde (book and lyrics), Aleathea Monsour (composer)

Backstage Award: Tanya Malouf, stage manager and tour producer

Emerging Female Arts Leader Award: Emily Wells

Gold: shake & stir