TV Star collapses during theatre awards.

Retired TV weatherman and radio host Brian Bury star fell off the stage during a drama charged theatre awards night held in Queensland this week.

He had only just started presenting the inaugural Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards when he fell two metres into the audience section of the Gold Coast Performing Arts Centre showroom.

Like many in the audience, Stage Whispers correspondent David Spicer feared a major health problem. But thankfully like the old pro he is Brian Bury brushed himself off and even joked - that he would do anything to get attention.

Brian is pictured above, having regained his composure, with awards organiser Kate Peters.

The event continued and was a huge success.

The big winner from the night was the Byron Bay Theatre Company. It picked up three awards including Outstanding Production of the year. The company's performance of Art was considered exceptional. Although the actors were unpaid the performance was hailed as professional in every respect.

Also highly commended was the Phoenix Ensmble. It received a platimum award for creativity in making the best use of the space available and consistency in high production values.

The company uses a small shed inside a Gold Coast showground in the suburb of Beenleigh. Despite the most basic of facilities, year after year it produces extremely ambitious musicals and youth shows.

More photos and reports will appear in the January - February edition of Stage Whispers.

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Award winners.

Best Set Design
SPAMALOT - DOUG McLEAN, TRACEY & LUKE HUTLEY
(Phoenix Ensemble)

Best Costumes
THE MONSTERS’ BALL - KATE TARDY / HELEN MADEN
(Spotlight Theatrical Company)

Best Technical Achievement (including Lighting & Sound)
THE LAST FIVE YEARS - GREG HEATH & WAYNE RUDOLPH
(Phoenix Ensemble)

The Jock and Beverly McIlwain Special Encouragement Award
EMILY MONSMA playing Dinah Lord, HIGH SOCIETY
(Gold Coast Little Theatre)

Magic Moment of Theatre (sponsored by Maria Grills in memory of Lucky)
LACHLAN McGEARY - ANNIE
(The Ballina Players)

Best Actress in a School / Youth Play
JAE SCHAEFER - RUNNING UP A DRESS
(Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School)

Best Actor in a School / Youth Musical
JANSEN POTGIETER playing Ren MacCormack - FOOTLOOSE
(Benowa State High School)

Best Actress in a School / Youth Musical
SARAH CLARKE playing Ariel Moore - FOOTLOOSE
(Benowa State High School)

Best Production of a School / Youth Play
RUNNING UP A DRESS - Directors Tracey Kriz & Jae Schaefer
(Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School)

Best Production of a School / Youth Musical
FOOTLOOSE - Producer JUDITH ANDERSON
(Benowa State High School)

Best Choreographer
KIM REYNOLDS - CATS
(Javeenbah Theatre Company)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
MAX PHILIPSON playing Young Man - JURY ROOM
(Gold Coast Little Theatre)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
JACOB BARRY playing Rum Tum Tugger - CATS
(Javeenbah Theatre Company)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play
GEORGIA MARTIN playing First Old Woman in The Black & White - A PINT OF PINTER
(Drill Hall Theatre Co.)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
JESSICA KAPITEN playing Vi Moore - FOOTLOOSE
(Benowa State High School)

Best Musical Director
CASEY CHADWICK & BEN MURRAY - SPAMALOT
(Phoenix Ensemble)

Best Director of a Play
SANDESH GIBNEY - ART
(Byron Bay Theatre Company)

Best Director of a Musical or Musical Revue
TONY ALCOCK - THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
(Spotlight Theatrical Company)

Best Actor in a Leading Role In a Play
AVIKAL - ART
(Byron Bay Theatre Company)

Best Actress in a Leading Role In a Play
LAUREN BRANT playing Beatrice - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
(Mercury’s Wings)

Best Actor in a Leading Role In a Musical
SCOTT MULLER playing Jamie - THE LAST FIVE YEARS
(Phoenix Ensemble)

Best Actress in a Leading Role In a Musical
NATASHA McKOY playing The Lady of the Lake - SPAMALOT
(Phoenix Ensemble)

Outstanding Production (sponsored by Gold Coast Arts Centre)
ART
(Byron Bay Theatre Company)
(For a production outstanding in cast, direction and set, giving the audience
an exceptional theatrical experience)

Platinum Palm Award
PHOENIX ENSEMBLE INC.
(For creativity in making the best use of the space available and consistency in high production values leading to quality shows.)