Sydney Fringe Awards Announced
Sydney Fringe 2011Awards for Excellence
“A sensitive, relatable and even at times humorous account of the life and people of Mumbai during the horrific terrorist attacks. Nominated for the Amnesty International Award in Edinburgh and winning Best Director for Palat at the New York Fringe Festival, A Personal War is a must see for all those truly invested in change and the strength of one voice.” Time Out
Divya PalatWriter/director/performer/producerFor her production A PERSONAL WAR, STORIES OF THE MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKSAt The Greek Theatre
“What new can be done with the classic songs of Disney? How about transporting them in new styles to a dinner theatre in Sydney’s inner west? Then perhaps you could present them in Disney fancy dress across two acoustic sets performed by a band of two voices, varied percussion and double bass, and you have a tongue-in-cheek Fringe Festival magic carpet ride” Arts Hub
James Edgar Francis & Maxine KauterMusical arrangers/performersFor their production BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – AN EVENING OF DISNEY SONGSAt Notes
_____________________________________________________________________________________________“The Day The Sky Turned Black, was described by one Edinburgh reviewer as an emotional tour-de-force and by far the best of the many one-actor shows I’ve taken in at the Edinburgh Fringe this year” – Fringe Guru, Edinburgh
Ali Kennedy ScottWriter/performerFor her solo performance THE DAY THE SKY TURNED BLACKAt Newtown Theatre
_____________________________________________________________________________________________“Incredible … their performances are so immediate and real, it’s difficult not to be moved. If you’re looking for the ‘next big thing’ in Australian theatre, either of these two may just be it. They definitely have everything it takes.” AussieTheatre.com
Naomi Livingstone & Edward GreyPerformersFor their performances in the musical JOHN AND JENAt Sidetrack Theatre
Fringe Art: Immerse was a dynamic, multi-disciplinary exhibition offering audiences a taste of what independent Sydney artists are currently creating. It perfectly filled the large Bay 19 space at Carriageworks
FringeArt at Carriageworks: ImmerseA collective award for all the artists involved in this curated exhibition –
Received tonight by the exhibition curator, Lew Palatis.
Susannah Williams, Simon Wall, Patrick Cremin, Ari Zainal, Susan Bui, Andrew Ensor, Elodie Silberstein, Deborah Wilkinson, Adrian O’Connell, Lucien Alperstein, Beth Dillon, Gabrielle Dillon, Dirty Hands Printmaking Collective (Gokcen Altinok, Gulsen Altinok, Mike Watt and Jessica Hodgkinson) and Archrival.
“It’s fun and cheeky, especially if you go by the reaction of the audience who laugh uproariously, groan with understanding and squeeze their partners knees sheepishly … it touches a nerve with anyone who’s opened up their heart a little and hoped for the best. Felix is charismatic and likeable, and by the end you’re barracking for him to do the right thing and you want him to be loved” Arts Hub
Gavin RoachWriter/performerFor his solo performance CONFESSIONS OF A GRINDR ADDICTAt New Theatre
“This endearing and challenging slice of feminist theatre is an astounding feat, and tribute should be paid to it’s brilliant young author/actor, Danielle Maas and producer/actor Jessica Wallace” Stage Whispers
Danielle Maas & Jessica WallaceWriters/performers/designers/producersFor their devised production COUNTRY MATTERSAt New Theatre
Mrs Polly Mer and Mrs Polly Ester (the Plastic Bag Ladies of the Sea) invited us into their knitted underwater home for cups of tea and tales from the sea, surrounding us in a unique and memorable environment of re-imagined plastic, rehashed trash and knitted seascapes.
Susan Williamson & Simone O’BrienWriters, Performers, KnittersFor creating SPINNING A YARNAt PACT
A new, original play revealing the contemporary plight of a young man who, with death before him, videos his goodbyes. But what do you say when there are no words to explain the unexplainable? This piece was intriguingly described as Love. Loss. Comedy anyway.
Chris TurnerPerformerFor his performance as Jack in THE WILL At The Tap Gallery
With virtually no set or props 2 actors tried to capture the emotional yo-yo of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies Romeo and Juliet. Edited slightly, to ten minutes. As they said themselves “audiences will laugh. Audiences will cry. Though not necessarily whilst watching this show”
James Buckingham & Liam BradberyDevisers/performersFor their performances in ROMEO AND JULIET IN TEN WITH TWO_________________________________________________________________________________________ “LadyNerd is a shining example of cabaret done right… Keira Daley is one of the most exciting, versatile actors in the music theatre scene” – AussieTheatre.com
“Daley shows off her incredible vocal talent by nailing an assortment of musical numbers…With perfect timing, amazing musical talent and obvious charm … well supported by her talented piano accompanist Mark Chamberlain” Broadway World
Keira DaleyWriter/performerFor her cabaret production LADY NERDAt the Sound Lounge, Seymour Centre
You can see the amazing talents of the award-winning Keira Daley on display here at Sidetrack at the moment in the musical A NEW BRAIN (first class review in the SMH today … they said “You can’t miss it!” .. so you shouldn’t.
“Written by Mark Ravenhill, Product is darkly comedic, often uncomfortable and consistently engaging … you might leave it feeling a little bit dirty, but that’s the whole point” Aussie Theatre.com
Daniel HunterDirector/Co-producerFor his direction of PRODUCT by MARK RAVENHILLAt The Reginald, Seymour Centre
“Charismatic performer Tommy Bradson takes his audience on a journey as he retells the Hans Christian Anderson classic The Little Mermaid, with songs that are littered with profanity … this show is fresh and brash keeping the audience engaged, with surprises coming around every corner” Same Same, Sydney
“A tongue so skilfully abrasive it could strip paint.” Three Weeks Edinburgh
Tommy BradsonWriter/performerFor his performance in PIRATE RHAPSODY, MERMAID REQUIEMAt The Reginald, Seymour Centre
“This was the companies first production, featuring four short works interspersed with song solos by Chloe Harrison and making a very exciting Fringe performance. The tiny space of the Newtown Theatre stage was stretched to its limits. Technically the dancing was fabulous, strong and very centered with glorious feet.
A most impressive p
remiere program and I look forward to seeing more from this new company” Sydney Arts Guide
Austinmer Dance TheatreFor their production TOO SOON TO TELLAt Newtown Theatre
‘If you can see this show in September as a part of The Sydney Fringe, do. Its a poignant, hilarious show woven with care and love. Tender, bright, full of hope despite being set in Brisbane.’ Augusta Supple : on her websiteWidely regarded as a moving and inspiring work.
Helen O’LearyWriter/performerFor her solo performance MY PARISAt Old 505 Theatre
In Cuba, in the nineteen sixties, the father of a newborn is exiled for criticising Castro’s regime. He is pushed out to sea in the ‘Shark Metropolis’ between Florida and Mexico, with nothing but a pile of cabbages to sustain him. This show is a comedy about family, love and strength, set in early Communist Cuba
Michael WorkmanWriter/performerFor his stand-up show MERCYAt The Factory Theatre
MOP is an artist-run initiative that annually programs up to 35 exhibitions at its Chippendale gallery and frequently undertakes strategic partnerships and collaborations. MOP Gallery for their Helen Gory Gallery at MOP exhibition
An outstanding exhibition featuring artworks by fifteen finalists selected for the John Fries Memorial Prize 2011 was at Blackfriars off Broadway. From that exhibition, one work in particular has been chosen for an award. The artists Tessa Zettel & Karl Khoe work together on a wide range of creative and critical projects.
Tessa Zettel & Karl Khoe for their work “Land-escapes”Part of the John Fries Memorial Prize at Blackfriars off Broadway
The Festival of Free Spaces is three events held during the Fringe, celebrating communal public spaces and community spirit in the Newtown and Inner West area.It is put together by a loose collective of more than 50 artists, DJs, musicians, organisers and dreamers.These three events have become their own mini festival; The fringe of the Fringe. These spaces are open to everyone and the Free Events have a unique energy, spirit, and purpose. There is no motivation to do it apart from the enjoyment from seeing it occur. No hidden motives. They just love doing it. Even in the rain.I can’t think of any one person who would be more deserving of this next award than its recipient.
SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARDfor his Festival of Free Spaces … CHRIS LEGO
Finally, the people speak. Throughout the festival, the public can vote for their favourite production, performance or moment. I am grateful to our sponsor Peter Lehmann for supporting this particular award, and delighted to announce that the winner is …
PETER LEHMANN PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD THE DAY THE SKY TURNED BLACKEDAt Newtown Theatre
