Matilda Awards

Powerhouse, Brisbane, 30 March 2022

Beth Keehn reports

Despite the lockdowns, Queensland’s thriving creative community showed its staying power as its productions in 2020 and 2021 were celebrated at this year’s Matilda Awards held on 30 March at Brisbane’s Powerhouse. Hosted by the talented Paul Dellit OAM and Judy Hainsworth, the awards reflected a flourishing diversity of show types and themes.

Best mainstage production – Naked & Screaming, La Boite Theatre

Competing in a group of seriously good premieres including Triple X by Glace Chase (Queensland Theatre), collaborations such as Boy Swallows Universe by Tim McGarry adapted from Trent Dalton’s novel (Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)), Prima Facie by Suzie Miller (Queensland Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company), new comedies Fourthcoming by Johnny Balbuziente and Cece Peters (shake & stir theatre co and QPAC) and Australian classic Away by Michael Gow (La Boite Theatre), the award for Best Mainstage Production  went to La Boite Theatre’s production of Mark Rogers’ Naked & Screaming, a modern comedy/drama about parenthood.

Best director – Sanja Simić – Naked & Screaming, La Boite Theatre

Naked & Screaming also won awards for Best Director for Sanja Simić, La Boite’s Creative Producer from 2017 to 2021. In her term with the theatre company, Sanja commissioned 25 new Australian works. She recently moved on to join Brisbane-based Unless Picture.

Best female actor in a leading role – Emily Burton – Naked & Screaming, La Boite Theatre

Emily Burton’s memorable, fast-paced and versatile performance saw her win in a category of contenders from musical theatre, small indie productions, comedy and drama.

Best male actor in a leading role – Jayden Popik, Mouthpiece (QPAC and Queensland Theatre)

Jayden Popik’s strong performance and stage presence in an intense two-hander stood out in some serious competition from comedy and drama mainstage and independent leads.  

Best female actor in a supporting role – Jodie Le Vesconte, Anatomy of a Suicide (Metro Arts and BC Productions Qld in association with e.g and Big Scary Animal) 

In a range of roles by award-winning British writer, Alice Birch, Jodie Le Vesconte’s versatility shone through. 

Best male actor in a supporting role – Darcy Brown, Animal Farm (shake & stir theatre co and QPAC)

As Squealer, Darcy Brown’s physical performance was unforgettable.

Gold Matilda Award 2020–2021 – PAUL DELLIT OAM

The accolade of Gold was awarded to performer, musician, arts worker, producer and fundraiser – and co-host of the Awards ceremony – Paul Dellit OAM for his many years of producing a wide range of shows and nurturing musical theatre talent while producer at QPAC and his nearly two decades of supporting Queensland industry workers through his work for the Queensland branch of the Actors’ & Entertainers’ Benevolent Fund, including tireless fundraising that supported those in need during the pandemic. Paul is currently Manager of the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre in Bundaberg.

Stagecraft awards

Queensland’s pool of craftspeople who are as talented at technical wizardry as they are experts in the backstage creative arts were also spot-lit by the awards. The winners reflect the breadth of production styles that audiences have enjoyed in the last two years – from engaging drama to escapist musicals, mime, circus and dance, in mainstage, tiny indie spaces and festival settings.

Best video design – Craig Wilkinson, Boy Swallows Universe (Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Festival and QPAC)

Best lighting design – Jason Glenwright, Your Song (The Little Red Company)

Best sound design/composition – Anna Whitaker & Ben Ely, Cowboy (Michael Smith & The Farm, presented by Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts)

Best costume design – Briefs Factory, Dirty Laundry (Briefs Factory International)

Best set design – Bill Haycock, Of Mice and Men (Ad Astra)

Bille Brown Award – best emerging artist – Pierce Gordon, Against the Wall (Passion Productions)

Best circus or physical theatre work – Ingress, Bridie Hooper

Best musical or cabaret – Your Song, The Little Red Company

Best independent Production – Wilbur the Optical Whale, indelabilityarts, presented by Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts

QUT Creative Industries Backstage Award – Jeremy Gordon

Jeremy Gordon – stage manager, technician, video designer and performance maker – won the QUT Creative Industries Backstage Award for his work on Wilbur the Optical Whale, including learning Auslan as part of his commitment to his craft.

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work – Cowboy, Michael Smith & The Farm (Michael Smith & The Farm, Presented by Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts) – a life-affirming dance piece set to an original score composed by Ben Ely of Regurgitator.

Find out more: https://www.matildaawards.com.au

Photos: Matilda Awards Facebook