By now the results of the 2010 Matilda Awards for excellence are know pretty much throughout Brisbane’s theatre community. Here they are if you missed them.
Matilda Commendations:
Best Mainstage Production:
Hamlet (La Boite)
Best Independent Production:
boy girl wall (The Escapists at Metro)
Best Direction:
Michael Futcher for Grimm Tales
Best Female Actor in a Lead Role:
Leah Purcell in The Story of The Miracles at Cookie’s Table
Best Male Actor in a Lead Role:
Leon Cain in I Love You, Bro
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role:
Melanie Zanetti in The Little Dog Laughed
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
Dan Crestani in Grimm Tales
Best New Australian Work:
The Bitterling by Sven Swenson
Best Emerging Artist:
Amy Ingram for acting in Fat Pig and Single Admissions
Best Design (set, lighting, sound or costume):
Greg Clarke for design on Grimm Tales
Matilda Awards
- Leon Cain for I Love You Bro’
- The Escapists
- Eugene Gilfedder for his body of work in 2010
- Leah Purcell for her direction of ACPA and for The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table
- David Berthold for his repositioning of La Boite Theatre Company and direction of Hamlet and I Love You Bro
Many of us couldn’t be at the Judith Wright Centre for the awards ceremony. However, some sense of how it felt was relayed through live-tweeting from those at the venue.
Were there any surprises? Not really. All the winners were deserving of their Matilda accolades and of our congratulations; it was a good year for theatre by the independents and the two subsidised companies.
The big five Matildas for special achievement were, according to some, duplications of winners in the big list and the difference between the ‘Commendations’ and the ‘real’ Matildas (as one commenter noted) is confusing. Maybe this needs clarifying.
What remains to be done for next year? A few thoughts:
- Consider refreshing the voting committee – not because they did anything other than a great job for no reward – but because it’s a good thing to give others the opportunity to become involved.
- Consider spreading the event beyond the small room at the JWCoCA. Live tweeting with images brought a sense of the occasion to those who couldn’t be there – but live streaming would really extend the Matildas beyond Brisbane – and it’s not hard to do. And finally
- Consider adding an audience choice category, or come up with some other way of getting the wider theatre-going public involved in the Matildas. They are ready and eager to do so judging by the response to this site’s Groundling Awards this year.
Congratulations to all nominees, the winners and to the Matilda committee.
Related articles
- It’s Matildas Night in Brisbane (actorsgreenroom.net)
Dear Ed,
I agree with the ‘A few Thoughts’ especially the live steaming, great idea! Although the flat screen is never as good as something live it will extend the awards and experience to those as you say that can’t be there. I think this would work with a lot of theatre/script readings as well. A way of sharing resources…getting off topic sorry. Go Matilda 2011!
If you were to look at these awards / nominations it would appear that only a handful of shows took place in Brisbane last year… how narrowly the judges seem to look…
It’s true. Leah Purcell has a loyal audience following and is admired and loved for the warmth and honesty she brings to her performances. Congratulations Leah, on a stunning win!