Melbourne snares Helpmann awards for 2019 – 2021

The Victorian government this morning announced that the Helpmann Awards will move from Sydney, its home for the past 18 years, and head to Melbourne from 2019 to 2021.

The Helpmanns, organised by Live Performance Australia (LPA), covers all aspects of live performance, including contemporary music, classical, theatre, opera, dance, musical theatre and comedy.

John Eren, minister for tourism and major events said, “The Helpmann Awards belong in Australia’s cultural and theatre capital – Melbourne.”

LPA CEO Evelyn Richardson added, “After a successful 18-year run in Sydney, the opportunity to bring the Helpmann awards events to Melbourne is consistent with our vision of extending our national presence.

“Bringing the Helpmann Awards to Melbourne offers a superb opportunity to grow and extend the reach and impact of our awards program to a wider and larger audience, while also recognising Melbourne’s international reputation as a destination for major events and live performance.”

The awards will celebrate their 20th anniversary in Melbourne in 2020.

The Andrews Labor government lured the Helpmanns from Sydney thanks to funding from the Major Events Fund, which was boosted by $4.5 million in the Victorian budget 2018/19.

The awards are the latest acquisition under the government’s Visit Victoria initiative.

Under its banner, it has secured over 60 major events, 320 business events and supported more than 160 events across the state, helping to create more than 15,000 new Victorian tourism jobs.

Upcoming productions exclusive to Victoria are Come From Away and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Minister for creative industries Martin Foley emphasised, “We’re thrilled to add the Helpmann Awards to our enviable events calendar because there’s no better place to celebrate the best in Australian live performance than Victoria – Australia’s creative state and the home of live theatre.”

LPA recently assembled a new production team for the Helpmanns which will be led by White Night curator David Atkins OAM as artistic director.