Act II Helpmann Award Winners Announced

The 2019 Helpmann Awards Act II tonight was a star studded black-tie gala event hosted by the fabulous dynamic duo of comedian, writer and actor, Susie Youssef, and Artistic Director of State Theatre SA, Mitchell Butel.

Check out the full winners list below!

Saluting artistic excellence and achievement on Australian stages over the past year, twenty three (23) prestigious Helpmann Awards were presented in the categories of comedy, cabaret, contemporary music, musicals, opera, classical music, theatre and ballet, dance and physical theatre. These Awards complement the 20 Awards announced last night at the 2019 Helpmann Awards Act I. In addition, the 2019 JC Williamson Award was presented by Paul Kelly AO to the legendary singer-songwriter Kev Carmody, for his outstanding contribution to the live performance industry.

This year's special guest presenters included industry luminaries Greta Bradman, Rhonda Burchmore OAM, Uncle Jack Charles, Joel Creasey, Lucy Durack, James Egglestone, Nancye Hayes AM, Stephanie Lake, Chong Lim, Paul Kelly AO, Rachael Maza, David McAllister AM, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jacob Nash, Keir Nuttall, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Vanessa Scammell.

The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA). Richard Evans, President of LPA, said "We are proud to present the 19h Annual Helpmann Awards in Melbourne this year for the very first time. The breadth and diversity of Winners, Nominees and performances at tonight's and yesterday's events shines a spotlight on Australia's world-class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2019 Helpmann Award Nominees and Winners!"

In a world first, the cast of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD performed an exclusive montage at the play's Australian home, Melbourne's Princess Theatre, which was beamed live to the thrilled 2019 Helpmann Awards audience at Arts Centre Melbourne's State Theatre.

As well as the special live cross to Melbourne's Princess Theatre, acclaimed performances at the State Theatre included Victorian Opera with their new work Lorelei, featuring divas Ali McGregor, Dimity Shepherd and Danielle Calder; The Australian Ballet with an exquisite new piece fromAurum by choreographer Alice Topp; the breathtaking Bangarra dancers Beau Dean Riley Smith, Rikki Mason, Tyrel Dulvarie, Ryan Pearson, Baden Hitchcock and Bradley Smith in an excerpt from the Helpmann Award winning production Bennelong; a special tribute to Kev Carmody from electronic soul pop duo Electric Fields; musical theatre darling Silvie Paladino; and bringing the show home was the sensational Brent Hilland the extraordinary kids from the hit musical School of Rock. Once again, the Helpmann Awards Orchestra was led by exceptional musical director Vanessa Scammell.

The Helpmann Awards Act II was preceded by the Red Carpet Walk with its fun and fabulous frocks, hosted by colourful comedienne Cal Wilson. The celebrations continued late into the night with the After Party at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.

Yesterday, the 2019 Helpmann Awards Act I saw the gravitas of Australia's most prestigious live theatre and entertainment awards meet the atmosphere of a sophisticated jazz lounge, for an up close, upbeat, exclusive industry-only night to remember.

Hosted by the legendary performer, writer, artistic director and national treasure, Robyn Archer AO, the evening's presenters included industry favourites Annie Aitken, Casey Bennetto, Tony Briggs, Uncle Jack Charles, Ako Kondo, Matt Lee, Ali McGregor, Natalie O'Donnell, Gareth Reeves, Graeme Russell, Claire Spencer, Anne Wood and the legendary punk rock duo from Die Roten Punkte, Otto and Astrid Rot.

For further information and a full list of winners and nominees: www.helpmannawards.com.au

Helpmann Awards Act II Winners

Best Male Actor in a Musical - Brent Hill, School of Rock the Musical

Best Female Actor in a Musical - Ursula Yovich, Barbara and the Camp Dogs

Best Male Actor in a Play - Prakash Belawadi, Counting & Cracking

Best Female Actor in a Play - Kate Mulvany, Every Brilliant Thing

Best Comedy Performer - Hannah Gadsby, Douglas

Best Cabaret Performer - Ali McGregor, Yma Sumac - The Peruvian Songbird

Best Male Dancer in a Ballet, Dance, or Physical Theatre Production - Waangenga Blanco, Dark Emu

Best Female Dancer in a Ballet, Dance, or Physical Theatre Production - Tara Jade Samaya, Common Ground

Best Male Performer in an Opera - Michael Honeyman, Wozzeck

Best Female Performer in an Opera - Lise Lindstrom, Salome

Best International Contemporary Concert - David Byrne and Frontier Touring, American Utopia Tour 2018

Best Contemporary Music Festival - Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), MONA FOMA 2019

Best Australian Contemporary Concert - Tim Minchin and Live Nation Australasia, Back

Best Individual Classical Music Performance - Asher Fisch, Tristan und Isolde

Best Chamber and/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert - Gabrieli Consort & Players - Purcell's King Arthur

Best Symphony Orchestra Concert - Tristan und Isolde, West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production - Out Of Chaos..., Gravity & Other Myths

Best Ballet - Aurum, The Australian Ballet

Best Dance Production - The Beginning of Nature, Australian Dance Theatre

Best Opera - Komische Oper Berlin's The Magic Flute

Best Musical - Barbara and the Camp Dogs

Best Production of a Play - Counting & Cracking

Best New Australian Work - S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack, Counting & Cracking

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