Three “unsung heroes” were recognised for their efforts in the industry at the 43rd annual CONDA Awards on Saturday night.
Theatre lovers from across the region gathered at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre to celebrate the performing arts sector, presented by the City of Newcastle Drama Association (CONDA).
A feature of the ceremony was the introduction of the CONDA Legacy Awards, which went to Robyn McLean, Kim Jennings and the late Heather “Ma” Gibson.
Ms McLean was acknowledged for 15 years of volunteering in the box office for Young People’s Theatre, while Ms Jennings recently clocked up 27 years of service as the Civic Theatre Box Office manager.
One of the biggest cheers on the night, however, was afforded to Ma Gibson.
She was passionately a mentor and stage mother to generations of performers.
The longest-running theatre awards program in Australia, the CONDAs bring together the very best of local talent, as well as Hunter artists who have gone on to conquer national and international stages.
This year’s awards were no different, with celebrity guest hosts Ben Mingay and Sofia Nolan – both Newcastle born and bred – returning home with enviable credentials on their respective resumes.
Another local success story, Callan Purcell, who is currently appearing in the global phenomenon, Hamilton, including understudying to the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, presented a number of awards.
He also delivered a solo rendition of You Walk With Me during the ‘In Memoriam’ part of the ceremony.
An unscheduled but very much welcomed special guest was Broadway star David Harris, who is home from New York to spend Christmas with his family in the Hunter.
He starred in this year’s sold-out season of CHESS: The Musical, alongside Silvie Paladino and a host of Newcastle’s finest musical theatre stars.
Harris and Paladino vied for the coveted Lead Performer in a Musical CONDA award, with the latter pipping the former at the post.
CHESS, produced by The Very Popular Theatre Company, was also recognised as Best Special Event, and the mega production’s music director Daniel Wilson and choir director Kim Sutherland tied for Excellence by a Music or Vocal Director.
It was a stellar night for The Very Popular Theatre Company, taking out more than a third of the awards, winning an impressive eight of the 23 categories.
Its July production of Things I Know to be True scooped five plaudits, including Best Dramatic Production, Excellence by a Choreographer for Jo Ford and Excellence by a Performer in a Lead Role – Play for Rob Dilley.
Youth theatre production, Wicked, staged by Newcastle Grammar School, collected four trophies, including Excellence by a Director – Musical for Luke Aspinall, Excellence by a Performer 18 & Under – Musical for Bella Williams and Best Production by a Youth Theatre Company or School.
Nicholas Thoroughgood won Excellence by a Director – Drama for Maitland Repertory Theatre’s production of A Doll’s House and Opera Hunter’s Young Frankenstein took out the other major gong, for Best Musical Production.
In a year when many companies were forced to cancel or postpone productions due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the hard-working judging panel still managed to critique an impressive 46 shows across the 12-month season, which ended on 31 October.
Fittingly, 2021’s highest honour, the award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Theatre, went to Ken Longworth.
He was part of the inaugural judging panel in 1979, when the CONDA Awards were first established as part of the 50th birthday celebrations for the Civic Theatre.
The long time-theatre reviewer was acclaimed for his remarkable contribution over almost half a century.
The gala event included a special recognition of Mr Longworth’s impact on the industry, with videotaped messages of thanks coming from well-known industry names both near and far.
The younger generation also featured prominently in the evening, including the announcement of the four new CONDA Youth Ambassadors – Levi Stoddart, Julia Boyd, Bridget Ponman and Evelyn Parkes.
“Following two particularly harrowing years for the theatre industry, the 43rd annual CONDA Awards saw almost 500 theatre lovers gather to celebrate the industry and its determination to shake off its troubles and forge into the new year with a reinvigorated sense of optimism,” CONDA president Dr Shane Bransdon said.
“It would not have been possible without the generous support of CONDA’s highly-valued sponsors, including Out of the Square, in its eighth year as major sponsor, the City of Newcastle’s Civic Theatre as the presenting partner – enabling the awards to return to the city’s preeminent theatre venue, and new industry partner, JH Productions.
“The JH Team called on their unparalleled expertise in all things staging to ensure the awards and the show-stopping musical numbers were a dazzling showcase of all the local industry has to offer.”
Winners of the 43rd CONDA Awards
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS:
Legacy Awards – Robyn McLean, Kim Jennings and Heather (Ma) Gibson
Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Theatre – Ken Longworth
TECHNICAL CATEGORY:
- Excellence in Hair, Makeup and Wigs
Callie McLean
Wicked
Newcastle Grammar School
- Excellence in Costume Design
Lauren Harvey
The Pecking Order
ASPIRE Catholic Schools Office
- Excellence in Set Design
Lisa Little
The Pecking Order
ASPIRE Catholic Schools
- Excellence in Lighting Design
Lyndon Buckley
Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight?
Bearfoot Theatre
- Excellence in Sound Design
Simon Ritchie – musical composition
Things I Know to be True
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence in Audio Visual Multimedia & Projection
James Chapman & Jacob Harwood
Two Point Oh
Knock and Run Theatre
YOUTH CATEGORY:
- Excellence by a Performer 18 & Under in a Play
Tied result:
Annie McLoughlin
Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight?
Bearfoot Theatre
Shyla Schillert
DNA
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Excellence by a Performer 18 & Under in a Musical
Bella Williams
Wicked
Newcastle Grammar School
- Best Ensemble Under 18
The Witches
Hunter Drama
- Best Production by a Youth Theatre Company or School
Wicked
Newcastle Grammar School
OPEN CATEGORY:
- Best Ensemble
A Doll’s House
Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role – Musical
Carl Gregory
Young Frankenstein
Opera Hunter
- Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role – Play
Rachel Jackett
Things I Know to be True
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence by a Performer in a Lead Role – Musical
Silvie Paladino
CHESS
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence by a Performer in a Lead Role – Play (Drama)
Rob Dilley
Things I Know to be True
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Best New Play or Musical Written for a Newcastle Company
Nicholas Thoroughgood
Here, There and Everywhere
Bearfoot Theatre
- Best Special Event
CHESS
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence by a Choreographer
Jo Ford
Things I Know To Be True
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence by a Music or Vocal Director
Tied result:
Daniel Wilson
CHESS
The Very Popular Theatre Company
Kim Sutherland
CHESS
The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Excellence by a Director – Musical
Luke Aspinall
Wicked
Newcastle Grammar School
- Excellence by a Director – Play
Nicholas Thoroughgood
A Doll’s House
Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Best Musical Production
Young Frankenstein
Opera Hunter
- Best Dramatic Production
Things I Know to be True
The Very Popular Theatre Company
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