Matilda Awards returns to celebrate theatre in Queensland

After COVID forced the annual Matilda Awards event to take a hiatus last year, Queensland’s premier awards ceremony has returned to recognise two seasons of exceptional entertainment across 2020 and 2021.

Including emerging, independent and professional artists and productions in their nominations line-up, the event honoured the many talents across the industry, celebrating the best of the best in theatre. 

‘Naked & Screaming’, a searing look at the dynamics of new parenthood, by La Boite Theatre took home three awards for Best Mainstage Production, Best Director for Sanja Simic and Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for Emily Burton.

Taking home the award for Best Male Actor was Jayden Popik for Queensland Theatre and QPAC’s production of ‘Mouthpiece’. 

The Bille Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist went to Pierce Gordon for their performance in ‘Against the Wall’ by Passion Productions. 

Solo contemporary dance work ‘Cowboy’, staged at Metro Arts as part of Brisbane Festival in 2020, won Best Sound Design for Anna Whitaker and Ben Ely, and The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work.

The Little Red Company also scored two awards for Best Musical/Cabaret and Best Lighting Design for Jason Glenwright for its 2021 smash-hit Your Song, inspired by Elton John’s iconic songbook.

The Matilda Awards also honoured the work of Actors and Entertainers Benevolent Fund (ABFQld) president Paul Dellit, awarding him the Gold Matilda.

Under Mr Dellit’s leadership, ABFQld spearheaded major fundraising initiatives and generated record levels of donations to support and assist performing artists who were financially affected by the ongoing COVID crisis.

For a full list of winners, please see below.

Learn more about the ceremony by visiting the Matilda Award’s official website. 

Matilda Award Winners for 2020-2021

Best Video Design
Craig Wilkinson for ‘Boy Swallows Universe’
Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Festival & QPAC

Best Lighting Design
Jason Glenwright for ‘Your Song’
The Little Red Company

Sound Design
Anna Whitaker & Ben Ely for ‘Cowboy’
Michael Smith & The Farm, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts

Best Costume Design
‘Briefs’
Factory Dirty Laundry Briefs Factory International

Best Set Design
Bill Haycock for ‘Of Mice and Men’
Ad Astra

Best Director
Sanja Simić for ‘Naked & Screaming’
La Boite Theatre

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Jodie Le Vesconte for ‘Anatomy of a Suicide’
Metro Arts & BC Productions Qld with e.g & Big Scary Animal

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Darcy Brown for ‘Animal Farm’
shake & stir theatre co & QPAC

Best Female Actor in a Leading Role
Emily Burton for ‘Naked & Screaming’
La Boite Theatre

Best Male Actor in a Leading Role
Jayden Popik for ‘Mouthpiece’
QPAC & Queensland Theatre

Bille Brown Award – Best Emerging Artist
Pierce Gordon for ‘Against the Wall’
Passion Productions

Best Circus or Physical Theatre Work
‘Ingress’
Bridie Hooper

Best Musical or Cabaret
‘Your Song’
The Little Red Company

Best Independent Production
‘Wilbur the Optical Whale’
indelabilityarts, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts

Best Mainstage Production
‘Naked & Screaming’
La Boite Theatre

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work
‘Cowboy’
Michael Smith & The Farm Michael Smith & The Farm, Brisbane Festival & Metro Arts

Gold Matilda
Paul Dellit