Big lineup vie for awards

BY EMMA GOODWIN

A pantomime, a melodrama, a fictionalised play based on fact and two new New Zealand plays are some of the 24 productions adjudicated by Sheridan Hickey for the 2009 Globe Awards.

It would seem the theatre-going public were not only treated to an elaborate menu of plays and musicals, but also a wide variety of genres and styles.

Pahiatua Repertory Society performed the favourite pantomime Old Mother Hubbard, and Massey University Drama Society began its year's programme with The Vampire, Or Bride of the Isles.

A newly formed theatre group, Slow Burn Theatre, performed the challenging fictionalised play Aalst.

Musicals included Miss Saigon, The Sound of Music, Sondheim's Putting it Together, Disco Inferno, The Full Monty, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret and Spamalot.

Many young people also had the chance to shine on stage with Jack and the Beanstalk and Rockin' Robin performed by young people, for young people. Youngsters also featured in Feilding's Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

A number of entertaining comedies, including a farce and some black comedy, pepped up the entertainment scene.

Two new plays were written and performed, with Peter Franklin's Hen Pecked and Before the Birds by Angie Farrow.

Original music was also composed for two other productions. Kane Parsons for Summer Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well and Jono Rushworth for The Vampire, or Bride of the Isle.

This year's Globe Awards ceremony will be held at 7.30pm on February 19.

"With over 500 performers and almost 800 support crew, helping front of house or backstage, willing to give their expertise and time freely, truly reflects the richness of our theatre and depth of enthusiasm and passion for involvement in local community theatre," says Ms Hickey.

She says the nomination categories in the Theatre and Musical Theatre sections are best supporting male and female actor, best male and female actor and best direction.

"A number of special and merit awards recognising various theatrical achievements will also be announced at the awards ceremony."

Presenters of the awards include Kate-Louise Elliott, artistic director of Centrepoint Theatre; Lesley Reid, national vice-president of Musical Theatre New Zealand; and Nanette Wright, former president of the New Zealand Theatre Federation.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE -

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play:

William Muirhead - Lord Ronald, The Vampire Bride of the Isles.

Tom Wardle - Ted Wilkins, It's My Party and I'll die if I want to.

Sean Sexton - Bertram, All's Well That Ends Well.

Carl Terry - Father John, The Christmas Spirit.

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play:

Lisa Coombes - Annie, Social Climbers.

Jacky Wall - Mrs Slocombe, Are You Being Served?

Maree Gibson - Martha, Before the Birds.

Tabby Barr - Jenny, Unoriginal Sin.

Best Male Actor in a Play:

Hayden Giles - Woolly, Old Mother Hubbard.

Eli Winter - Jack, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Nic Broomfield - Miles, Unoriginal Sin.

Nick O'Brien - Alex, Hen Pecked.

Best Female Actor in a Play:

Calle Brooks - Debbie, It's My Party and I'll Die if I Want To.

Amy Petre - Cathy Delany, Aalst.

Jennie Fon - Julia Dowling, The Christmas Story.

Stephanie Thoms - Connie, Sisters.

Best Direction of a Play:

Colleen O'Leary - Sisters.

Peter Doherty - It's My Party and I'll die if I want to.

Carl Terry -The Christmas Spirit.

David Collins - Aalst.

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Paul Anstis - Heathcliffe, Disco Inferno.

Chris Craddock - Judge, Sweeney Todd.

Grant Miller - Tom, Disco Inferno.

Michael Forrest - Patsy, Spamalot.

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Carrie Green - Gigi, Miss Saigon.

Stephanie Greenslade - Jeanette Burmeister, The Full Monty.

Georgia Bergerson - Liesl, The Sound of Music.

Amy Hunt - Miss Saigon.

Best Male Actor in a Musical:

Bradford Meurk - Chris, Miss Saigon.

Regan Taylor - MC, Cabaret.

Bruce Sinclair - King Arthur, Spamalot.

David Hands - Harold Nichols, The Full Monty.

Best Female Actor in a Musical:

Louise Flynn - Maria, The Sound of Music.

Stephanie Greenslade - Mrs Lovatt, Sweeney Todd.

Kate Johnson - Lady of the Lake, Spamalot.

Renee Pink - Kathy, Disco Inferno.

Best Direction of a Musical:

Scott Andrew - Putting It Together.

Alex Gilchrist - Sweeney Todd.

Scott Andrew - Spamalot.

Pat Snoxell - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

- © Fairfax NZ News