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Helpmann Awards
Awarded for"Distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors"
CountryAustralia
Presented byLive Performance Australia
First awarded2001
Websitewww.helpmannawards.com.au
Television/radio coverage
NetworkOvation (2004–2005)
Fox8 (2006)
Bio. (2007–2009)
Studio (2010–2012)
Arena (2013–2014)
Foxtel Arts (2015–2017)
ABC (2018)

The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001.[1]

The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre.[2] Over forty awards are given to productions, festivals and concerts, and for individuals for their work in performance, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design.[1]

They are named in honour of ballet dancer, choreographer, director and actor Sir Robert Helpmann.[1]

The awards are the Australian equivalent of the United States' Tony Awards for Broadway theatre and the United Kingdom's Laurence Olivier Awards for West End theatre.[3]

The Helpmann Awards were last awarded in 2019. LPA cancelled the 2020 and 2021 awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5] No public statement has been made for subsequent years.

History

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The awards are named after Sir Robert Helpmann

The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (now known as Live Performance Australia (LPA)). They are named in honour of Australian actor, choreographer, dancer and theatre director, Sir Robert Helpmann.[6][3]

At the inaugural Helpmann Awards, twenty six accolades were handed out for achievements in performance, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design and production, in the disciplines of musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre.[7] Over the years the categories expanded and now include many more honours.[2]

Aims and description

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The aim of the awards is to promote Australia's live entertainment industry, both locally and internationally, by: recognising artistic achievements; administering the awards with integrity; ensuring the awards are celebrated by the industry and Australian community; and ensuring the ceremony is the most prestigious awards in the local industry and the highlight of each season.[8]

Special non-competitive prizes are also bestowed upon individuals: the JC Williamson Award (named after theatre manager James Cassius Williamson), for one's life's work in Australia's live entertainment industry. This is the highest honour presented by Live Performance Australia.[9][10] Other special awards are the Sue Nattrass Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in a field without high public profile,[1] the Brian Stacey Memorial Award, and an award for Best Special Event.[citation needed]

Eligibility and voting

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To be eligible for the Helpmann Awards, a production must: be produced or presented by an LPA Member, or professionally produced by a non-Member that has paid an Industry Service Fee for the production; fall within the artistic or industry award categories; and officially open in Australia during the season (or for Best Regional Touring Production Award, undertake its first Australian regional tour during the season).[11] Exemptions from the entry criteria can be granted in exceptional circumstances by a committee consisting of the LPA president, chief executive and chair of the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee (HAAC).[11]

Nine nominating panels determine the nominees for their respective fields.[12] These are: cabaret, children's presentation, comedy, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry awards, musicals, opera and classical music, and theatre.[12] The nominating panels comprises artists, creatives, arts administrators, writers, journalists, producers, promoters, venue managers and educators.[12] The HAAC selects the chair of each panel, who in turn chooses the members of their respective fields.[12] The nominations are then determined by each of them, who choose four per category.[12] The winners are determined in a secret online ballot by the voters who are employees of LPA members, panelists and previous Helpmann winners and nominees.[13]

Award categories

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The award categories are currently:

Ceremony

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The annual Helpmann Awards ceremony is usually held between May and September. They have been variously held in Sydney at the Star City Show Room, Sydney Lyric, Sydney Opera House and the Capitol Theatre, and at the Arts Centre Melbourne.[14] Australian stage and screen actor Simon Burke has presided over the event seven times, the most of any other person, from 2001 to 2006, and again in 2012. The awards have been broadcast since 2004 on various Foxtel channels,[15] and since 2018 live on ABC Television.[1]

Simon Burke has hosted the awards seven times, more than any other person.
Date[A] Host/Hosts Network Venue Ref.
25 March 2001 Simon Burke — Lyric Theatre [16]
6 May 2002 Star City Show Room [14]
19 May 2003 [17]
9 August 2004 Ovation Lyric Theatre [18]
8 August 2005 [19]
31 July 2006 Fox8 [20]
6 August 2007 Jonathan Biggins Bio. Capitol Theatre [21]
28 July 2008 Jonathan Biggins and Julia Zemiro Lyric Theatre [22]
27 July 2009 Sydney Opera House [23]
6 September 2010 David Campbell Studio [24]
1 August 2011 Jonathan Biggins [25]
24 September 2012 Simon Burke [26]
29 July 2013 Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan-Browne Arena [27]
18 August 2014 Jonathan Biggins Capitol Theatre [28]
27 July 2015 Todd McKenney Foxtel Arts [29]
25 July 2016 Helen Dallimore, Guy Noble, Simon Philips, Queenie van de Zandt and The Umbilical Brothers Lyric Theatre [30]
24 July 2017 Jan van de Stool and Tim Draxl Capitol Theatre, Sydney [31]
15 & 16 July 2018 Glenn A Baker AM, Rafael Bonachela, David Campbell, Jacqueline Dark, Anne Edmonds and Tony Sheldon ABC [32][33]
14 & 15 July 2019 Susie Youssef and Mitchell Butel Arts Centre Melbourne
2020 and 2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic —
2022 and 2023 Event did not occur

^[A] Each year is linked to the full list of winners and nominees from that year following the ceremony.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Events & Programs". Live Performance Australia. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Helpmann Awards – About". Helpmann Awards. Live Performance Australia (LPA). Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Introducing... (The Helpmann Awards)". Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2003. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  4. ^ Bergman, Gabi (31 March 2020). "2020 Helpmann Awards cancelled". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  5. ^ Reid, Poppy (28 April 2021). "LPA announces cancellation of Helpmann Awards". The Music Network. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  6. ^ Sexton, Christopher. "Helpmann, Sir Robert Murray (1909–1986)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University (ANU). Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Australian Web Archive 2001 Helpmann Awards Winners". Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2003. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Helpmann Awards". Live Performance Australia (LPA). Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Katharine Brisbane awarded Helpmann's highest honour". ABC Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Brian Stacey Memorial Trust – The Brian Stacey Award". Brian Stacey Memorial Trust. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Helpmann Awards – Eligibility". Helpmannawards.com.au (Live Performance Australia (LPA)). Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Helpmann Awards – Nominating Panels". Helpmannawards.com.au (Live Performance Australia (LPA)). Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. ^ "Helpmann Awards – Voting". Helpmannawards.com.au (Live Performance Australia (LPA)). Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  14. ^ a b Bryce Hallet (16 April 2002). "Categorically, Bobby needs a makeover". The Age. The Age Company Ltd. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  15. ^ Staff (7 June 2013). "Date Announced and Foxtel's Arena TV confirmed as broadcast partner". Live Performance Australia. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  16. ^ "APRA Newsletter – March 2001" (PDF). Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  17. ^ "2003 Presentation (The Helpmann Awards)". Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Past productions – Helpmann Awards". New Theatricals. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  19. ^ Roberts, Jo (12 July 2005). "Springtime for Helpmann". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  20. ^ Staff (31 July 2006). "Night shines a light on lean times". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  21. ^ Knox, David (9 July 2007). "Helpmann Awards live on Bio". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  22. ^ Piening, Simon (2 July 2008). "Nominations for 2008 Helpmann Awards announced". Australian Stage Online. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  23. ^ Knox, David (8 July 2009). "Airdate: 2009 Helpmann Awards". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  24. ^ Boland, Michaela (7 September 2010). "Upstart iOTA trumps opera at Helpmann Awards". The Australian. News Corp Australia (News Corp). Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  25. ^ Knox, David (5 July 2011). "Airdate: Helpmann Awards 2011". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  26. ^ Knox, David (12 September 2012). "STUDIO free for one week for all Foxtel subscribers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  27. ^ Epstein, Jackie (13 June 2013). "Helpmann Awards find perfect hosts". PerthNow. The Sunday Times (News Corp Australia). Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  28. ^ "Helpmann Awards – Performances and Host announced for 2014 Helpmann Awards". Helpmannawards.com.au (Live Performance Australia (LPA)). 1 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  29. ^ "Todd McKenney to host 2015 Helpmann Awards". Sky News Australia. Australian News Channel Pty Ltd. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  30. ^ "2016 Helpmann Awards Hosts and Performances Announced".
  31. ^ "2017 Full line up of Performances, Hosts and Presenters Plus confirmed broadcast details".
  32. ^ "Events | Helpmann Awards". www.helpmannawards.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  33. ^ "Jacqui Dark on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
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