GLUGS Annual Theatre Awards 2015
Sydney theatre group The Glugs, now in their 48th year, presented the Glugs Theatre Awards, based on performances in 2014, on February 2, 2015 at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel/Masonic Club in Sydney. Over 90 people crowded into the Reagh Bar for the presentation of the Glugs' Awards. Presenters were: David Sale; Sandra Bates; Ian Phipps; Nancye Hayes; Merran Doyle; Marika Aubrey; Rose Peterson; Tony Sheldon; Beverley Davies; Dr Bill Winspear; Donna Lee; Bunny Gibson: James Wright and Lee Young.
In 1966 a group of theatre-lovers – critics, journalists, actors and theatre-goers – met occasionally for lunch. Among them famous theatre critic Norman Kessell, JCW’s PR man John Love, and ABC producer Allan Kendall. The group invited international and local theatre guests who spoke about the profession over lunch and a glass of wine.
By 1969 it was decided the group should have a name. British actor Barry Morse was in Sydney following his Broadway stint and Australian tour of Hadrian the Seventh. He was presented a gift from the group - C.J.Dennis’s tongue-in-cheek poems The Glugs of Gosh. Barry urged the group to continue luncheons as a regular event to help other overseas performers feel at home just like he did, and with a wave of his hand he ceremoniously declared ‘‘I hereby christen you – The Glugs’’.
The Glugs continues with luncheons on the first Monday of every month at The Castlereagh Inn, and applauds the best of every year’s Sydney theatre with their annual awards. New members are always welcome.
Chief Glug Lee Young has stepped down from his position after 11 years, with the baton being handed over to Glug Dr. Bill Winspear.
The 2014 GLUGS AWARDS
NORMAN KESSELL MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING ACTOR
FEMALE
Lucy Bell - Emerald City - Griffin
MALE
Sean Taylor - Blue/Orange - Ensemble
Steve Rodgers - Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography - Griffin
JEFFRY JOYNTON-SMITH MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
FEMALE
Kate Fitzpatrick - Cruise Control - Ensemble
MALE
Andrew Henry - All My Sons - Darlinghurst Theatre
COLLEEN CLIFFORD MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN MUSIC THEATRE
FEMALE
Katrina Retallick – Ruthless! - The Theatre Division
MALE
Ian Stenlake - Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You - Neil Gooding Productions
COLLEEN CLIFFORD MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN MUSIC THEATRE
FEMALE
Geraldine Turner – Ruthless! - The Theatre Division
MALE
Tom Sharah - The Drowsy Chaperone - Squabbalogic
MOST OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
Hunter Page-Lochard - Brother’s Wreck - Belvoir
TAFFY DAVIES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST OUSTANDING INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
Sponsored by Beverley Davies
All My Sons- by Arthur Miller - dir. Iain Sinclair - Darlinghurst Theatre
JOHN WEST MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW AUSTRALIAN PERFORMED WORK
Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography- by Declan Greene - dir. Lee Lewis - Griffin/PTC
AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRODUCTION -sponsored by Rose Peterson
Pete the Sheep - adapted from the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley by Eva Di Cesare, Tim McGarry and Sandra Eldridge - music/lyrics by Phil Scott - dir. Jonathan Biggins - Monkey Baa Theatre Co.
ROBERT DAVIS MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING MAINSTREAM PRODUCTION
The King and I - by Rogers and Hammerstein - dir. Christopher Renshaw - musical dir. Peter Casey – Produced by Opera Australia and John Frost.
THE AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Sweet Charity– Hayes Theatre; Luckiest Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions
THE CHIEF GLUG AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE BEHIND THE SCENES – Neil Gooding
SEABORN BROUGHTON AND WALFORD AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – Henri Szeps
BEST CABARET AWARD (CHOSEN BY CHIEF GLUG) – Donna Lee Sings Petula Clark- Hayes Theatre
HAYES GORDON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THEATRE – Andrew Worboys
DON REID MEMORIAL AWARD FOR PERFORMER ON THE WAY (SPONSORED BY FIONA PRESS) - Madeleine Benson