Matilda the Musical sweeps Helpmann Award nominations

The who’s who of the Australian entertainment industry recently came together for the Helpmann Award nominations, which celebrate outstanding artistic achievement in live performance.

One of the country’s most popular musicals was the big winner on the evening with Matilda the Musical nominated for a record 13 Helpmann Awards in 2016. The awards ceremony will take place on July 25 at the Sydney Lyric.

The stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s story has been a knock-out hit in Australia and it would seem the industry agrees, with Matilda the Musical nominated in the majority of relevant categories, including Best Musical.

But the stage show faces stiff opposition in the Best Musical category. Also nominated are Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music and Ladies in Black.

And the industry’s littlest performers are taking it up to the major musical players with all eight Matildas – Sydney’s Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin, Bella Thomas and Molly Barwick and Melbourne’s Ingrid Torelli, Alannah PArfett, Tiana Mirra and Dusty Bursill – nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical.

The Matildas are in esteemed company with Amy Lehpamer, who is winning rave reviews as Maria in The Sound of Music, Esther Hannaford for Little Shop of Horrors and Sweeney Todd’s Antoinette Halloran all nominated in the same category.

Matilda’s arch nemesis was recognised in the Helpmann Award nominations as well. James Millar has been nominated for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. He is up against Ghost’s Rob Mills, Anthony Warlow from Fiddler on the Roof and Brent Hill from Little Shop of Horrors.

The Helpmann Awards, which were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA), are the pinnacle of live performance in Australia.

Ticketmaster has been lucky enough to be involved with many of the nominees in most categories including musicals, comedy, contemporary music, theatre and opera and classical musicals.

Providing live event fans with amazing experiences at events has always been a key focus for Ticketmaster and we are always excited to see our partners recognised with award nominations and accolades.

Of course, for many, the best is yet to come with the announcement of the winners to take place at the Helpmann Awards ceremony on July 25 at the Sydney Lyric.

The Helpmann Awards ceremony is one of the highlights on the industry’s calendar each year. As well as high-profile presenters, the ceremony will also feature performances from some of Australia’s brightest stars.

The 2016 performances will be absolutely brilliant with Mark Vincent, Marina Prior, Sarah Blasko and the West Australian Ballet all announced to perform. Also, cast members of The Sound of Music, Singin’ in the Rain and Matilda the Musical will perform for the live and TV audiences. Presenters include dancing sensation Adam Garcia, Helen Dallimore, Queenie van de Zandt and the hilarious Umbilical Brothers.

In addition to the announcement of the winners, Live Performance Australia will present two very special Helpmann Awards; the Sue Natrass Award to arts administrator Michael Lynch CBE AM and the JC Williamson Award to Bangarra Dance Theatre’s choreographer/director Stephen Page. Both awards are bestowed upon individuals who have achieved outstanding excellence and contributed positively to the live performance industry in Australia.

Ticketmaster is very proud of its long association with LPA and the Helpmann Awards and wishes all the 2016 nominees the very best of luck!

Click here to see the full list of nominees and details of the 2016 Helpmann Awards.