10TH ANNIVERSARY ADELAIDE CURTAIN CALL AWARDS: WINNERS ANNOUNCED

There’s no greater thrill than standing on stage at the end of a show and knowing you’ve entertained or moved an audience. The only feeling that comes close is receiving acknowledgement from one’s peers; the people who recognise the training, experience, dedication and support work at the heart of an outstanding theatre performance or production.

Adelaide Theatre Guide’s Curtain Call Awards are considered the major recognition of excellence in professional, independent and community theatre in South Australia. In a unique and entertaining coming-together of all levels and aspects of the industry, people from professional and amateur backgrounds gather each year for a night of celebration.

August 2014 marks a milestone for the Awards, with the glittering tenth anniversary event held this year at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and hosted by Amelia Ryan.

And the 2014 winners are…

PROFESSIONAL

Best Show-Comedy

Awarded to- Vere (State Theatre Company of SA).

Other nominees- Death in Bowengabbie (Bakehouse Theatre Company); Girl Asleep (Windmill Theatre); Neighbourhood Watch (State Theatre Company of SA).

Best Show-Drama

Awarded to- The Dark Room (Flying Penguin Productions with State Theatre Company of SA and Holden Street Theatres).

Other nominees- And No More Shall We Part (Bakehouse Theatre Company); East of Berlin (Bakehouse Theatre Company); Orphans (Bluefruit Theatre).

Best Show-Musical

Awarded to- Passion (Swell Productions).

Other nominees- Homemade Fusion (So What Media); La Traviata (State Opera of South Australia).

Best Ensemble

Awarded to- Notoriously Yours (five.point.one).

Other nominees- Homemade Fusion (So What Media); Lovers and Other Strangers (Werdna Theatre Productions); The Comedy of Errors (State Theatre Company of SA).

Best Female Performance

Awarded to- Jordan Cowan, The Dark Room (Flying Penguin Productions with State Theatre Company of SA and Holden Street Theatres).

Other nominees- Clare Mansfield, East of Berlin (Bakehouse Theatre Company); Elizabeth Hay, Jesikah (State Theatre Company of SA); Miriam Margolyes, Neighbourhood Watch (State Theatre Company of SA).

Best Male Performance

Awarded to- Paul Blackwell, Vere (State Theatre Company of SA).

Other nominees- Adam Carter, East of Berlin (Bakehouse Theatre Company); Matt Crook, The Lake (five.point.one); Sam Calleja, Orphans (Bluefruit Theatre).

Best Technical

Awarded to- Craig Behenna, Matt Crook & Brad Williams, Videography and Projection Design, Notoriously Yours (five.point.one).

Other nominees- Jonathon Oxlade, Girl Asleep (Windmill Theatre); Manda Webber & Chris Petridis, The Lake (five.point.one); Wendy Todd & Geoff Cobham, Babyteeth (State Theatre Company of SA).

AMATEUR

Best Show- Comedy

Awarded to- Wrong Turn at Lungfish (St Jude’s Players).

Other nominees- Loves & Hours (Galleon Theatre Group); Nana’s Naughty Knickers (Tea Tree Players); The Lady in the Van (Stirling Players Inc).

Best Show- Drama

Awarded to- Richard III (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild).

Other nominees- Inheritance (Stirling Players Inc); Playboy of the Western World (Independent Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild).

Best Show- Musical

Awarded to- Xanadu (Davine Interventionz).

Other nominees- A Little Night Music (Hills Musical Company); Little Women (Therry Dramatic Society); Oliver! (The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia).

Best Ensemble

Awarded to- Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr (Pelican Productions).

Other Nominees- Neville’s Island (Adelaide Repertory Theatre); Tainted Love (Spotlight Theatre Company); The Fox on the Fairway (St Jude’s Players).

Best Female Performance

Awarded to- Kate Dempsey, Xanadau (Davine Interventionz).

Other nominees- Abby Hampton, Romeo & Juliet (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild); Cate Rogers, Holy Day (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild); Rachel Burfield, Richard III  (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild).

Best Male Performance

Awarded to- Bart Csorba, Richard III (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild).

Other nominees- Andrew Clark, A Chorus of Disapproval (St Jude’s Players); Andrew Horwood, Loves & Hours (Galleon Theatre Group); Michael Bates, The Phantom of the Opera  (Matt Byrne Media).

Best Technical

Awarded to- Jen Frith, Kylie Green & Tanya Gallery, Set and Costume Design, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jnr (Pelican Productions).

Other nominations- David Lampard & Mark Wickett, Oliver! (The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia); David Roach, Adrian Shirley & Matthew Marciniak, Playboy of the Western World (Independent Theatre); Dennis Noble, The Lady in the Van (Stirling Players Inc).

THE RICHARD FLYNN AWARD

For Sustained Excellence and Contribution to Theatre in South Australia

Awarded to Isabella Norton.

TASA BRAVO AWARD

For Significant Contribution to Non-Profit Theatre

Awarded to Ann Humphries.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees.

The September/ October 2014 edition of Stage Whispers Magazine will include a feature story about the ten-year history of Adelaide Theatre Guide’s Curtain Call Awards. Stage Whispers magazine is available via subscription and can also be purchased at newsagents.

Lesley Reed 

Image: Adelaide Entertainment Centre on the awards night. Photographer: Nathaniel Mason of Mason Digital