Helpmann awards to be broadcast on ABC, Dami Im, Casey Donovan named among performers

This year’s Helpmann Awards will be broadcast by the ABC nationally for the first time.

It will hit the screens at 9.30 pm from the Capitol Theatre on Monday, July 16.

This will be the second (or Act II) and the major part of the new two-night format of the awards, also a new initiative in 2018.

However segments of the night before – Act I, held at the Sydney Town Hall and mostly covering creative, designer and supporting roles – will also be part of the broadcast.

ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie said, ‘The Helpmann Awards are an incredible celebration of the contribution the live performance industry makes to our country’s culture.

“The ABC is proud to champion this industry by broadcasting the event for Australians to enjoy the amazing performances and appreciate the hard work and talent of all the nominees.’

Contemporary rock will be showcased during the screening.

Dami Im, Casey Donovan and Natalie Bassingthwaite will be part of a 10-strong ensemble doing a medley from the Funny Girl musical and movie.

They join Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan), Virginia Gay (First Tuesday Book Club), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins), Maggie McKenna (Muriel’s Wedding the Musical), Queenie van der Zandt (2017 Helpmanns host) and Zahra Newman (Book of Mormon).

My Friend the Chocolate Cake, with David Bridie, Helen Mountfort and Hope Csutoros perform the entrancing Weep as part of the In Memoriam segment.

Act I will be hosted by Boomerang festival co-founder Rhoda Roberts AM and fellow arts curator Michael Lynch.

It will feature music directors Vanessa Scammell and Max Lambert on dual grand pianos with performers including Chloe Dallimore and Amanda Laing, musical theatre rising star Georgina Hopson, Sydney Youth Orchestra quintet, and operatic duo Jenny Lui and Andrew Jones.

The black-tie Act 2, staged on the set of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, will be hosted by David Campbell, performer and writer Tony Sheldon, choreographer Raphael Bonachela and mezzo soprano Jacqueline Dark.

The Priscilla cast will run through ‘It’s Raining Men’, Sydney Dance Company dancers Davide Di Giovanni and Charmene Yap perform together, and Muriel’s Wedding’s Maggie McKenna and Madeleine Jones, sing ‘Amazing’ as their characters, Muriel and Rhonda, affirm their new friendship.

Rhonda Burchmore OAM hosts the red carpet outside the Capitol.

A list of nominees is at www.helpmannawards.com.au.