2015 Helpmann Awards @ Capitol Theatre SYDNEY (Live Performance Australia)

And the Helpmann Award goes to …

helpmann-awards-2015 helpmann_awards_2015 JC-WILLIAMS-AWARD helpmann awards 2015

All the winners of the 2015 Helpmann Awards were announced on Monday Night from 7:30pm in a star studded ceremony honouring the year’s best achievements, at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre hosted by Todd McKenney. Each year, the Helpmann Awards are the pinnacle event of Australia’s vibrant live entertainment and performing arts industry.

The 2015 Helpmann Awards celebrated the remarkable year that the Australian live performance industry has had, and award presenters included Cate BlanchettDanielle Cormack, and David Campbell.        

Live Performance Australia (LPA) Chief Executive said the breadth of winners, nominees and performances at the ceremony highlighted our the world-class Australian creative and artistic talent.   “The Helpmann Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of the many people whose skill, passion and commitment continues to put Australia on the world map for live performance excellence,” said Ms Richardson.

“On behalf of the Helpmann Awards and LPA, I congratulate all of tonight’s nominees and winners whose talents serve as an inspiration to the live performance industry and audiences alike.”

For the 15th Helpmann Awards, there were over 800 entires across 41 categories, with all assessed by our nine nominating panels containing a total of 153 esteemed industry colleagues.

A recent annual survey by Live Performance Australia® confirmed the sector generated  in Australia more than $1.4 billion in gross revenue, with more than 17 million tickets issued for live performances.

Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables, received the most overall nominations in the 2015 Helpmann Awards, received five Helpmann Awards, including  ‘Best Musical’.

Other big winners on the night included Brisbane Baroque in association with QPAC’s Faramondo (5 Helpmann Awards) and The Rabbits (Opera Australia and Barking Gecko Theatre Company co-production in association with West Australian Opera, commissioned by Melbourne Festival and Perth International Arts Festival), was nominated for 4 awards and won 4 awards.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant congratulated  all the nominees and  the winners, and commended the night’s performers and presenters.   “Tonight’s Helpmann Awards was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Australian live performance industry, and I congratulate everyone involved with the ceremony, especially the award winners. The NSW Government is proud have secured this event for Sydney,” Mr Grant said.

At every Helpmann Awards ceremony, the audience are treated to show highlights performed by many of the nominees, with Les Misérables opening the night, soon followed by an unexpected one-off and exclusive performance, by the full Australian cast of the Helpmann Award nominated musical Once.

Helpmann Awards host, Todd McKenney brought the house down with a powerful performance of “I Am What I Am” from the Tony Award winning production of La Cage aux Folles. Victorian Opera’s Sweeney Todd took the audience on a dark and twisted musical experience.

Clare Bowditch and the Paul Kelly Band also played their homage to this year’s JC Williamson Award® recipient, Paul Kelly, by performing his single from the 1995 acclaimed album of the same name, “Deeper Water”.  The best acceptance speech of the night was delivered by Paul Kelly.

Australia’s foremost illusionist, Cosentino – The Grand Illusionist also brought some fresh magic to the stage, and a moving classical performance by the Australia Piano Quartet accompanied the ‘In Memoriam’ segment.

Foxtel Arts subscribers are able to view several exclusive encore screenings on Foxtel Channel 132-HD and 232-SD on Thursday Evening 30 July 2015 from 8.30pm and on Friday 31 July 2015 from 3:15am and Saturday Morning 1st August 2015 from 10:00am and 3:00pm plus on Sunday Morning 2nd August 2015 from 3:30am. Duration three hours.

The Helpmann Awards are proudly supported by the New South Wales Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.