ArtsHub: Savages take on King Kong in Green Room Awards

See article in its original context here by Annie Louey for the ArtsHub.

An independent play has taken out almost as many Green Room Awards as the stage production ‘King Kong’ at last night’s ceremony.

Presented annually by the peer-based Green Room Awards Association, the Green Room Awards recognise excellence within Melbourne’s professional performing arts sector.

Savages, written by Melbourne playwright Patricia Cornelius and directed by Susie Dee took out four awards in the independent theatre category at last night’s awards ceremony at the Comedy Theatre. The writer and director both received awards in their respective disciplines. The other two gongs were given for set and costume design, and lighting.

Cornelius joked, ‘We wanted to beat King Kong!’

Presented by entertainment company, Global Creatures, King Kong came out on top by swiping five awards in the musical theatre category, though somewhat controversially, the Green Room Association’s Music Theatre panel did not nominate any shows in the Best Music Theatre Production category this year. The award for best actress in a leading role went to Esther Hannaford, who played Ann Darrow. King Kong was rewarded for its outstanding stagecraft by taking out awards for lighting, sound and costume design. The production also won best musical ensemble.

Cornelius was not disappointed though, as the ceremony was ‘a terrific acknowledgement’ of the work put into her play and the overall production.

‘It really heartens you because you have great faith that your peers are with you in the development of your work,’ she said.

Although Cornelius never envisaged Savages becoming an award-winning production, she ‘knew there was a really good life force to the work, and that all the elements had come together really beautifully’.

The play is centred upon a group of four men on a cruise ship and explores issues around misogyny and masculinity. It was shown last year at the independent venue, fortyfivedownstairs.

Melbourne company Malthouse Theatre also took out four awards. The Bloody Chamberwon best production and best sound and/or composition. Alison Whyte was honoured as best female actor for her role in the play. Malthouse and Melbourne Festival co-production The Shadow King was rewarded for its writing and adaptation for the Australian stage.

‘A hearty congratulations to all of the artists who received awards and their collaborators,’ said Malthouse Theatre’s Artistic Director, Marion Potts.

‘These awards… are also representative of Malthouse Theatre’s cultural breadth and reach – I’m proud to say we have a significant wing-span for a theatre company of our size,’ she said.

In the opera category, Victorian Opera received five awards for a number of different productions. Nixon in China topped the list with three accolades. The Magic Pudding won best ensemble, while Sunday in the Park with George took out the Green Room Award for musical theatre direction.

Two industry veterans were presented with Lifetime Achievement awards, including actor Jack Charles, who founded Australia’s first Aboriginal theatre company, Nindethana.

The award for Lifetime Contribution to Cabaret went to John Newman, who is known for opening a string of cabaret venues in Melbourne, including Dracula’s.

Ilbijerri Theatre Company received the Green Room Association Award for Industry Contribution.

A full list of 2013 Green Room Award recipients is available on the Association’s website.

Image: Savages took out four awards in the Independent Theatre category. Photo: Sarah Walker.