Hot patootie, bless our souls! Sydney’s theatre community gathered at a star-studded ceremony overnight for the annual Sydney Theatre Awards, hosted by actress and cabaret legend Marney McQueen (who is currently starring as “Céline Dion” in Sydney’s exclusive season of Titanique). A total of 28 awards were presented, shared between 16 productions that played on Sydney’s stages during 2024 (more on those below). In addition to this, the highly anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to a true veteran of theatre and opera, director Jim Sharman, as around 500 people cheered on in the Seymour Centre’s York Theatre.
Jim Sharman honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
Since graduating from NIDA in 1966, Sharman has racked up more than 70 productions to his credit. He made his mark on the world with his direction of three revolutionary rock musicals, including Hair in 1969 (Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Boston) – Sharman was just 25-years-old when he was handed full creative control of the production, and its success was such that it was seen by more than 1.5-million people during a five-and-a-half year run in Sydney, and thrust future stars Marcia Hines and Reg Livermore into the spotlight. Meanwhile, his bold take on Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972 (Australia, London) was the first successful staging of the concept album by Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber, and went on to shape the now-famous rock opera globally.
Internationally however, Sharman is best known for his work on a certain much-loved, freaky cult musical that centers around the antics of a mad scientist alien from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. Yes, Sharman directed the original 1973 production of The Rocky Horror Show with New Zealand’s Richard O'Brien in London; and also co-wrote and directed the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. Additionally, Sharman also directed its loosely-based sequel, Shock Treatment.
Even if critics have mixed opinions about the trajectory of recent stage productions of Rocky Horror, there is no denying the cultural impact of this subversive, sci-fi-horror-inspired comedy – it is the longest-running theatrical release in film history, with cinemas still hosting themed screenings today. Thank you Jim, from all the little queer weirdos who found Rocky Horror when they needed it most. (The fishnet stocking industry probably owes you a lot, too.)
The Sydney Theatre Awards ceremony included a celebration of musicals directed by Jim Sharman, with surprise appearances including Marcia Hines singing the music of Jesus Christ Superstar, John Waters performing a number from Hair, and original Australian cast of The Rocky Horror Show doing ‘The Time Warp’ again (Nell Campbell, Maureen Elkner, Kate Fitzpatrick and Sal Sharah). When accepting the award on the night, Sharman was a man of few words, saying that he has "always believed in pace". However, he did take a moment to thank all his "colleagues in crime from over the years" from the bottom of his heart.
Sydney Theatre Awards celebrate the best on stage in 2024
Best Mainstage Production was awarded to Belvoir’s ambitious new staging of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning August: Osage County, which also took home Best Direction of a Mainstage Production for Eamon Flack, and Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Mainstage Production for both Tamsin Carroll and Pamela Rabe (tied vote). In a rave five-star review, Time Out Sydney’s critic said: “the production moves at an impressive clip, giving its characters time to breathe, but never just spinning its wheels.”
Best Independent Production went to The Inheritance, which was also awarded Best Direction of an Independent Production for Shane Anthony and Best Ensemble Cast. A two-part, six-hour epic that builds a panoramic portrait of New York’s modern gay community, our critic described the Aussie premiere as “a towering achievement”, and also added: “I wish everyone I knew had been sitting in that theatre with me; gay, straight, and the rest.”
The fan favourite Zombie! The Musical (Hayes Theatre Co) continues to cannibalise awards ceremonies after taking out the Best Musical category in the inaugural Time Out Sydney Arts & Culture Awards in July. This brand new Australian work from the big brains of Laura Murphy (The Lovers, The Dismissal) won the the STA for Best Musical, as well as the award for Best Direction of a Musical (Darren Yap) and Best Choreography of a Musical (Chiara Assetta).
Meanwhile, the Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical went to Michael Paynter for Jesus Christ Superstar, and Daniel R. Nixon took home Best Newcomer for his incredible performance in Belvoir’s accessibility-conscious production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Best Performance in a Leading Role in an Independent Production was awarded to André de Vanny for his performance in bleak comedy The Lonesome West (presented by Empress Theatre at the Old Fitz).
Best New Australian Work was awarded to Emmanuelle Mattana for Trophy Boys, a queer black comedy inspired by Sydney’s competitive high school debating scene (our critic described it as “a masterful play that I hope we will continue to see not only in theatres, but in future school curricula”). Sydney Theatre Company’s Stolen also picked up four awards, with the new staging of this classic Australian text about the Stolen Generations being recognised for its inventive stage design, costume design, lighting and sound design.
Those who attended the Awards Night were also treated to performances that celebrated musicals of the past and future. The ceremony opened with a performance of ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent, featuring past cast members of various Australian productions. (Time Out Tip: the latest Australian tour of Rent will finally land in Sydney in September, find out more here.) Ryan Gonzalez (who Sydney audiences will soon see in Peter and the Star Catcher) also performed ‘Ride On’ from the new Australian musical Phar Lap (which will open at the Hayes Theatre in October; book here).
The Sydney Theatre Awards are presented annually to celebrate the strength, quality and diversity of theatre in Sydney. You can see the full list of winners and nominees at sydneytheatreawards.com.
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