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Celebrating a golden age of theatre!

Wellington was host to the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards last night (15 December) at the Paramount Cinema – to celebrate Wellington’s diverse, adventurous, brave, definitely NOT dying theatre community with awards honouring the best of 2013’s performances and craft.

The evening was MC’d by the talented Hayley Sproull, who also went on to win Best Female Newcomer for her Comedy Festival show Outsiders’ Guide.

The big winners on the night were Trick of the Light Theatre’s The Road That Wasn’t There, which won Best New Director; Hannah Smith, Outstanding New New Zealand Play; Ralph McCubbin Howell, and Production of the Year.

The Mayor’s Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre was awarded by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown to Playmarket, for 40 years dedication, passion, altruism, longevity and hard work in the arts. Playmarket provides development, support and representation of New Zealand playwrights. Founding members Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell and Ian Fraser we honoured on behalf of this world-renowned kiwi institution.

The Critics Wildcard Award went to 13 year old theatre company The Bacchanals as an Ensemble Award for guts, determination, Kiwi ingenuity and inspired profligacy with zero budget.

Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards wishes to sincerely thank our sponsors for making this special evening possible: Chapman Tripp, Wellington City Council, Circa Theatre, BATS Theatre, Taki Rua, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Victoria University, Constance Scott Kirkcaldie, Emerging Artist Trust, Whitireia Performing Arts, Grouse Lighting, WETA Workshop, Park Road Post Productions, The Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Playmarket, Capital E National Theatre for Children, Watson-McKenzie Photography, Brancott Estate, ProActors, eCaster, Museum Hotel, Multi Media Systems, Marmalade Audio, Paramount Theatre, The Improvisors, The Dominion Post and the hard working critics panel.

And the winners are . . .

The Critics Wildcard
The Bacchanals - Ensemble Award for guts, determination, Kiwi ingenuity and inspired profligacy with zero budget.

The Circa Award Donated by TACT Most Promising Male Newcomer
Joe Dekkers-Reihana – Coriolanus

The Emerging Artist Trust and Whitireia Performing Arts Most Promising Female Newcomer
Hayley Sproull – Outsiders’ Guide

The George Webby Most Promising New Director of the Year sponsored by Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and Victoria University of Wellington
Hannah Smith – The Road That Wasn’t There

The Peter Harcourt Outstanding New Playwright of the Year sponsored by BATS Theatre and Taki Rua Productions
Sarita Keo Kossamak So – Neang Neak’s Legacy

The Grouse Lighting Award for Lighting Designer of the Year
Marcus McShane – Broken River

The Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year
Andrew Foster – Red

The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year sponsored by Chapman Tripp
Kasia Pol – Sydney Bridge Upside Down

The Park Road Post Production Award for Sound Designer of the Year
Tane Upjohn-Beatson – Broken River

The Mayor’s Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre
Playmarket – for 40 years dedication, passion, altruism, longevity and hard work in the arts.

Outstanding Composer of Music (private sponsor)
Gareth Farr – Duck, Death and the Tulip

The Absolutely Positively Most Original Production of the Year
Squidboy – Theatre Beating

The Playmarket and Capital E - National Theatre for Children Outstanding New New Zealand Play
The Road That Wasn’t There – Ralph McCubbin Howell

The Chapman Tripp Supporting Actor of the Year
Aaron Cortesi – Sydney Bridge Upside Down

The Chapman Tripp Award for Supporting Actress of the Year
Nancy Brunning – Neang Neak’s Legacy

The Richard Campion Accolade for an Outstanding Performance sponsored by Chapman Tripp and Watson McKenzie Photography
Renee Lyons – Nick: An Accidental Hero

The Dorothy McKegg Actress of the Year sponsored by Brancott Estate
Erin Banks - Tribes

The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year sponsored by The ProActors and eCaster
Byron Coll – Midsummer – A Play With Songs

The Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year
Geoff Pinfield – The Magic Chicken

The Chapman Tripp Award for Production of the Year
The Road That Wasn’t There – Trick of the Light Theatre