And so it is that this year the members praised the work of those who entertained us over 2018, with many of the winners taking the time to attend. This is not an awards project determined by committee, but rather by those who love the art and support it by attending shows as often as one each week…sometimes more. There’s neither pomp nor circumstance at the awards function. No 100 piece orchestra in the pit, no elaborate staging, no burlesque opening number.
Rather, guests sit casually around tables at a Castlereagh Street hotel, wandering to the bar now and again for a top-up, greeting colleagues who they perhaps "haven’t seen for years" as they squeeze between the chairs. Winners bustle their way forward to accept their award at the front of the room, making a heartfelt and sometimes teary speech at the conference room lectern.
Rather, guests sit casually around tables at a Castlereagh Street hotel, wandering to the bar now and again for a top-up, greeting colleagues who they perhaps "haven’t seen for years" as they squeeze between the chairs. Winners bustle their way forward to accept their award at the front of the room, making a heartfelt and sometimes teary speech at the conference room lectern.
This is acknowledgement of the craft at its most pure, and for that reason, the awards really do represent recognition by those best positioned to present them: The Audience.
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| Music Director John Martin |
Such is the night, surprises are not few and far between. Jenna Wooley opened the night, accompanied on piano by John Martin, the evening’s musical director, with They Just Keep Moving The Line (from Smash). Woman of the moment Lisa Campbell next received the award for Most Important Contribution to Theatre, presented by her friend and colleague Richard Carroll. During her acceptance speech, Lisa commented through tears “I’m sure everybody’s annoyed by now at English women crying at awards ceremonies.”
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| Phil Scott enjoys a drink with The Queen |
Monkey Baa won their 4th GLUG in a row (perhaps their 7th over 10 years), for Josephine Wants To Dance, with further acknowledgement to the musical prowess of Phil Scott. The acceptance speech subsequently dedicating the win to the late Penny Cook, a board member and past chair of the theatre company.
Special too was Zoe MacDonald as she gave her first public performance since a car accident took her off stage more than a year ago, delighting the crowd with Cinco Paul’s hilarious Musical Theatre Boys.
The musical program continued later as 21-year-old WAAPA graduate Maverick Newman performed his own composition Cappuccino for Matt, a piece written about his imaginary alter ego, which materialised after years of hearing his name called incorrectly when his coffee order was ready to be collected.
Tim Draxl picked-up a supporting role gong for Torch Song Trilogy, and reminded all present in his acceptance speech of how important it is to ‘remember our history’ which he confessed the performance served as a reminder for him.
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| Katie Little, Georgie Parker, Holly Worland |
After making a few acceptance speeches on behalf of winners who were unable to attend, Heather Mitchell finally received her moment in the award spotlight, winning most outstanding role for an actress in a leading role (for Harp In The South), edging out Georgie Parker (Luna Gale), Sharon Millerchip (Shirley Valentine) and Anna Samson (Love). “I never thought I’d win amongst those nominations,” Heather said. “Otherwise I would have worn something a little more special,” receiving a huge laugh from the room when she shared that she also received her Seniors Card only just last week.
A remarkable In Memoriam piece was delivered with great gravitas by Christian Bischoff reading the names, appropriately accompanied by Tonny Shim, playing a most moving violin solo.
In an evening where talent saturated the room, it was Noah Mullins, fresh from completing his HSC only last year, who stunned the audience of theatre lovers and performers alike with his rendition of For Forever Two Friends / True Friends / On A Perfect Day from Dear Evan Hansen, accompanied again by John Martin at the grand piano. The actor (no stranger to the stage) plays Riff in the upcoming season of West Side Story later this year.
Just before Peter Cousens closed the show, surprising everyone with his perfect harmonica prowess while singing Billy Joel’s Piano Man, the Rodney Seaborn Lifetime Achievement Award (the ultimate GLUG gong of the night) was bestowed upon the unstoppable Lee Young. After 74 years in the business, the cabaret legend was visibly moved by the recognition, and in typical fashion thanked all those who support the arts, as well as those who consistently support the community that is The GLUGS, along with those who make an effort to nominate, vote and facilitate the awards each year.
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| Peter Cousens plays the harmonica. Who knew? |
After the presentation, guests then retired to enjoy drinks, and sans-media, consumed freshly cut sandwiches, a cheese and fruit platter along with a cash bar. Performers mixed with their judges and peers and enjoyed an early night, wrapping around 9.30pm.
There are plenty of more noteworthy award presentations to experience in the entertainment industry, but few reflect a performer’s connection with the audience as well as these. Without prejudice or pretence, without lobbyists, politics or publicists (who only quietly attend), the Glugs Awards for Excellence in the Performing Arts represent what theatre enthusiasts really think and what they really feel. And it’s a feeling of which all nominees and winners should be proud.
(scroll down for a complete list of winners)
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| Producer Christine Dunstan with publicist Amanda Buckworth |
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| Fiona Press with Margi De Ferranti |
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| Rowan Witt, Heather Mitchell, Sharon Millerchip |
GLUGS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS:
The Taffy Davies Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Independent Production:
The King of Pigs - Redline Productions - Old Fitzroy Theatre
The Lee Young Award for the Most Outstanding Cabaret Performance:
Paul Capsis - Up Close and Intimate – Darlinghurst Theatre Company
Award for the Most Outstanding Production for Children:
Josephine Wants to Dance - Monkey Baa Theatre
The John West Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding New Australian Performed Work:
Harp in the South – Sydney Theatre Company
Award for the Most Outstanding Independent Musical:
In the Heights - Blue Saint Prods in assoc with Hayes Theatre Co
Award for the Most Outstanding Main Stage Musical:
Muriel’s Wedding – Sydney Theatre Company
Hayes Gordon Memorial Award for Important Contribution to Theatre:
Lisa Campbell
The Jeffrey Joynton Smith Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Tim Draxl - Torch Song Trilogy – Darlinghurst Theatre Company
The Jeffrey Joynton Smith Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
Contessa Treffone – The Harp in the South - Sydney Theatre Company
The Norman Kessell Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
A tie:
Mitchell Butel - An Act of God - Darlinghurst Theatre Company
Hugo Weaving - The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui – Sydney Theatre Company
The Norman Kessell Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Heather Mitchell - Harp in the South – Sydney Theatre Company
The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical:
Margi De Ferranti - In the Heights - Blue Saint Productions & Hayes Theatre
The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:
Jay James Moody - She Loves Me - Hayes Theatre
The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical:
Ryan Gonzalez - In the Heights – Hayes Theatre production
The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical:
Caitlin Berry - She Loves Me – Hayes Theatre
The Stuart Wagstaff Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Direction:
Mitchell Butel - Marjorie Prime - Ensemble
The Award for the Most Outstanding Main Stage Musical:
Muriel’s Wedding – Sydney Theatre Company
Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer:
Thomas McGuane - Jersey Boys - Capitol Theatre
The Micki and Robert Davis Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Main Stage Production:
Harp in the South – Sydney Theatre Company
Rodney Seaborn Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mr Lee Young
Musical performances:
Zoe MacDonald – Musical Theatre Boys
Jenna Wooley – They Just Keep Moving the Line (from “Smash”)
Noah Mullins – Two Friends/Forever (from ”Dear Evan Hansen”)
Tonny Shim - In Memoriam with Christian Bischoff
Maverick Newman – Cappuccino for Matt
Peter Cousens - Piano Man
Pianist: John Martin
Master of Ceremonies: Les Solomon
Master of Ceremonies: Les Solomon
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