Stage stars out for the Tasmanian Theatre Awards night

A CONTEMPORARY mythological feminist play featuring some of Tasmania’s leading actors dominated the Tasmanian Theatre Awards, which were announced at Wrest Point Saturday night.

The Tasmanian Theatre Awards at Wrest Point. 'The Mares' cast are pictured on stage (L-R) Sara Cooper, Ben Winspear, Mel King, Jane Longhurst, Jane Johnson. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A CONTEMPORARY mythological feminist play featuring some of Tasmania’s leading actors dominated the Tasmanian Theatre Awards, which were announced at Wrest Point Saturday night.

Kate Mulvany’s The Mares, produced by the Tasmanian Theatre Company and Ten Days on the Island, picked up six awards in the Professional category, including Outstanding Production, Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Writing.

One of the show’s stars, Launceston-based Jane Johnson, shared the award for Outstanding Performance with Maeve Mhairi MacGregor (the new artistic director of the Tasmanian Theatre Company) for her part in Gruesome Playground Injuries.

Maeve Mhairi MacGregor is the current artistic director of The Tasmanian Theatre Co. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“You only have to look at this year’s awards to begin to comprehend just how imaginative and innovative the theatre sector in Tasmania is,” said Theatre Council of Tasmania president Peter Sexton, one of more than 300 guests at the celebration dinner last night.

“The world premiere of Kate Mulvany’s The Mares is a great example of that. A blend of re-imagined mythology and contemporary sexual politics, which was not only a great vehicle for some of Tasmania’s finest actors, but it also challenged and inspired audiences.”

The Judges’ Special Award for the professional theatre category went to Robert Jarman for his contribution and commitment to theatre and theatre practitioners.

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Newcomer IO Performance, which is based in Launceston, and Devonport Choral Society each won three awards in the Community Theatre category.

Most of the Musical Theatre awards went north to Encore Theatre Company in Launceston.

Its production We Will Rock You took out the highest number of awards on the night, with a total of eight including Outstanding Production, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Ensemble.

Jon Bowling received his Lifetime Achievement Award, announced earlier this month.

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