Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Queensland artists take out two Helpmann Awards
Arts Minister Rod Welford today congratulated Queensland artists Michael Gow and Leah Purcell on winning prestigious Helpmann Awards in Sydney last night (28 July).
Mr Welford said Leah Purcell won Best Female Actor in a Play for The Story of the Miracles at the Cookie’s Table, written by fellow Queenslander Wesley Enoch.
“Leah is resident artistic director of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), which is funded by our Government through Arts Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
“Leah’s performance in this challenging play about one woman’s determination to hold on to her family history won rave reviews and she is a deserving winner of this award.”
Mr Welford said Michael Gow, artistic director of the Queensland Theatre Company, won Best New Australian Work for Toy Symphony, presented by Company B.
”Both Michael and Leah are worthy winners of a Helpmann Award as they are among the best working in the performing arts in Australia today,” Mr Welford said.
“They also represent the strength of Queensland’s performing arts industry which continues to produce some of the country’s leading actors, writers and directors.”
The Helpmann Awards, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann, recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the performing arts.
The big winner at the Awards was Billy Elliot the Musical, which won in six categories, including Best Male Actor and Best Female Actor in a Musical, and Best Musical.
Mr Welford said Queensland was strongly represented among the nominees by three companies and six individual artists.
“Other Queensland nominees for this year’s awards included Dancenorth, Gavin Webber, Sarah-Jayne Howard; the Queensland Theatre Company; James Stewart; Ana Marina; and the Queensland Music Festival’s Pig City,” he said.
“The high number of nominations shows the strength and diversity of the state’s performing arts sector across all art forms.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
Mr Welford said Leah Purcell won Best Female Actor in a Play for The Story of the Miracles at the Cookie’s Table, written by fellow Queenslander Wesley Enoch.
“Leah is resident artistic director of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), which is funded by our Government through Arts Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
“Leah’s performance in this challenging play about one woman’s determination to hold on to her family history won rave reviews and she is a deserving winner of this award.”
Mr Welford said Michael Gow, artistic director of the Queensland Theatre Company, won Best New Australian Work for Toy Symphony, presented by Company B.
”Both Michael and Leah are worthy winners of a Helpmann Award as they are among the best working in the performing arts in Australia today,” Mr Welford said.
“They also represent the strength of Queensland’s performing arts industry which continues to produce some of the country’s leading actors, writers and directors.”
The Helpmann Awards, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann, recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the performing arts.
The big winner at the Awards was Billy Elliot the Musical, which won in six categories, including Best Male Actor and Best Female Actor in a Musical, and Best Musical.
Mr Welford said Queensland was strongly represented among the nominees by three companies and six individual artists.
“Other Queensland nominees for this year’s awards included Dancenorth, Gavin Webber, Sarah-Jayne Howard; the Queensland Theatre Company; James Stewart; Ana Marina; and the Queensland Music Festival’s Pig City,” he said.
“The high number of nominations shows the strength and diversity of the state’s performing arts sector across all art forms.”
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336