TOP THEATRE PROFESSIONALS AWARDED MATILDAS

South-east Queensland’s most talented theatre professionals were tonight (Monday 23 April) acknowledged for the outstanding work they have done over the past year.

Arts Minister, Rod Welford, presented the awards at the annual Matilda Awards for Excellence to the top five actors, designers and practitioners of 2006.

“These awards celebrate the exceptional work done by outstanding theatre professionals last year,” Mr Welford said.

“Our Government recognises the important role the arts play in the social, cultural and economic development of our state.

“In recognition, we provide $10,000 to fund the five Gold Matilda Awards, which honour the top five practitioners of the previous year’s theatre season.

“These are the critics’ awards for excellence, with each winner receiving prize money of $2000.”

The Gold Matilda Award winners were:

• Margi Brown Ash – for her performance in the nest theatre company’s ensemble production of The Knowing of Mary Poppins
• Brett Collery – for sound design, especially for Queensland Theatre Company’s Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset by Stephen Carleton and, Away by Michael Gow
• Michael Gow, for direction of Queensland Theatre Company’s productions of his play Away; Private Lives by Noel Coward; and Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn
• Robert Kemp, for set design for Queensland Theatre Company, especially for Away by Michael Gow and Private Lives by Noel Coward
• Steven Tandy, for his performance in La Boite Theatre Company’s Last Drinks by Shaun Charles

Mr Welford said the State Government had been involved with the Matilda Awards since its inception in 1987 when local theatre critics Alison Cotes and Sue Gough first proposed the idea.

The Matilda Awards were established in 1988, and are judged annually by a panel of local drama critics.

The other award winners are listed below.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985

Other Matilda Awards

THE INTERACTIVE THEATRE AUSTRALIA
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jean-Marc Russ – for his performance in Queensland Theatre Company’s production of Private Lives

THE INTERACTIVE THEATRE AUSTRALIA
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Barbara Lowing – for her performance in Queensland Theatre Company’s production of Away

THE BEN PARKINSON CASTING
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Lucas Stibbard – for his performance in Metro Independents’ production of New Royal

THE ACTORS WORKSHOP
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Helen Howard – for her performance in La Boite Theatre Company’s production of Last Drinks

THE QUT PRECINCTS
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR DIRECTION
Leah Mercer – for nest theatre company’s production of The Knowing of Mary Poppins

THE TOADSHOW
SILVER MATILDA AWARD – FOR DESIGN
Craig Walsh – for the visual design of the set of The Derby Playhouse/La Boite/Brisbane Festival production of Johnno

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY APPLIED THEATRE
SILVER AWARD – FOR A NEW SCRIPT
Marcel Dorney – for New Royal

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS
the nest theatre company – for The Knowing of Mary Poppins, an outstanding independent production
Springboard Theatre Company – for The Return, an outstanding independent production
The Brisbane Cabaret Festival

QPAC AWARD
Jason Organ – for an outstanding contribution to the performing arts in Queensland

ALAN EDWARDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
PRESENTED BY THE ACTORS’ & ENTERTAINERS’ BENEVOLENT FUND (QLD) INC.
Penny Everingham

MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ALLIANCE
EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Dash Kruck – for The Dressing Chair