STRONG SHOWING FOR SYDNEY PRODUCTIONS AT THE 2014 HELPMANN AWARDS

Strictly Ballroom

Sydney-based shows have received several major awards at the 2014 Helpmann Awards which were announced this week at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.

Sweet Charity, which ran in the Hayes Theatre, won three awards including Best Choreography in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Female Actor in a Musical. Heather Mitchell from Strictly Ballroom The Musical, which had its world premiere in Sydney, won Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

The King and I, which will be showing in Sydney in September, also won three Helpmanns for Best Sound Design and Best Costume Design while beating out a remarkable field to take the coveted Best Musical award.

Assistant Minister for Tourism and Major Events Katrina Hodgkinson attended the ceremony and accepted the Best Special Event Award which was awarded to Destination NSW for Vivid Sydney 2013.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “As owner and manager of Vivid Sydney, Destination NSW aims to deliver an event that amazes, entertains, educates and inspires like no other, so I am delighted that our hard work has been recognised.”

The glittering 2014 Helpmann Awards night also included a special presentation by Minister for the Arts Troy Grant of the JC Williamson Award to John Frost AM for his lifetime contribution to Australia’s live performance industry and was attended by some of Australia’s most celebrated talent, as well as Hollywood star Lou Diamond Phillips who performed a very special medley with The King and I stars, Lisa McCune, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

Other highlights included live performances from Disney’s The Lion King, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables, and Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical.

A full list of winners can be found at www.helpmannawards.com.au