LPA announces cancellation of Helpmann Awards

Live Performance Australia (LPA) has announced that the annual Helpmann Awards cannot be presented in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

“Due to the impact of COVID on our industry over the past 12 months, it’s not feasible to proceed with presenting the 2021 Helpmann Awards,” said LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson.

“Our industry is only now getting back to work and there is still more to be done to ensure we can fully operate in every state and territory at 100 percent capacity in all indoor and outdoor venues. For our live music sector in particular, some significant challenges remain before it can fully reactivate.”

Last year’s Helpmann Awards were also cancelled. The announcement arrived in March 2020 due to restrictions on public gatherings.

Evelyn Richardson said that while LPA is disappointed to have to cancel the event for a second year in a row, the Australian industry body is taking the opportunity to reimagine the Helpmann Awards for 2022 onwards.

“Planning for next year’s event will be undertaken shortly and we will have more to say about that in the second half of the year,” she said. “Our priority right now continues to be getting all of our industry across the country fully operational, back on stage and touring.

“We have focused all of our resources on reopening in a COVIDSafe way so that we are part of Australia’s economic and social recovery. We are heartened by the support of patrons and fans across the country who are coming back to our theatres and live music venues. Our aim is to bring back to millions of Australians the pleasure of live theatre and music presented by some of the world’s best creative talent.”

COVID-19’s impact on live performance venues and productions across the country has been sideswiping the music industry for over a year now.

More recently, the wider live industry felt a gut punch earlier this month when the Berejiklian government cancelled Bluesfest 2021 at the eleventh hour, due to a single community transmission of COVID-19.

The Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished achievement and excellence in Australia’s live performance sectors including musicals, contemporary music, comedy, opera and classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentation for children and young people, regional touring and cabaret.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.