40th Annual Green Room Awards
A Night of Glamour and Artistry as the Green Room Awards Turns 40!
Reviewed by Brendan Daynes
The 41st Annual Green Room Awards dazzled audiences with a night filled with celebration and recognition of outstanding talent across various performing arts genres.
The Cabaret category showcased exceptional talent and creativity, with standout productions recognised for their excellence. Spunk Daddy, presented by Autonomous Inventions and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne Fringe, shone as the Outstanding Production, captivating audiences with its energy and innovation. Notably, Casey Gould’s direction in Spunk Daddy earned recognition, highlighting her skill in bringing the performance to life. Gillian Cosgriff’s outstanding original songs in Actually, Good added depth and charm to the production, contributing to its success. Miss Friby’s showstopping performance in Galah. stood out as an exemplary display of artistry, earning her the title of Outstanding Artiste. 
In the realm of Dance, creativity and talent flourished, with remarkable productions honoured for their artistic merit. “Triptych,” presented by Phillip Adams BalletLab and Temperance Hall as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance, emerged as a standout, garnering praise for its choreography, ensemble performance, and set/costume design. Antony Hamilton’s choreography in Forever and Ever captivated audiences with its innovative movements and expression. Lucy Guerin’s “NEWRETRO” mesmerised with its outstanding creation, showcasing her distinctive choreographic style.
The Commercial Musical Theatre category dazzled audiences with its stellar productions and performances, highlighting the talent and creativity of the musical theatre industry. Once, presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company, showcased the artistry and skill of its ensemble cast, earning praise for its captivating performances. Seann Miley Moore’s outstanding portrayal as the Engineer in Miss Saigon, presented by Opera Australia in association with Cameron Mackintosh, left a lasting impression, while Guy Simpson and Anthony Barnhill’s direction in The Phantom of the Opera, presented by Opera Australia and The Really Useful Group in association with Cameron Mackintosh, contributed to its theatrical magic.
Independent Musical Theatre productions showcased creativity and talent, with standout works earning recognition for their artistic achievements. Kinky Boots, presented by James Terry Collective, impressed with its ensemble performances, highlighting the collective talent of The Angels. Charmaine Gorman’s standout performance in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, presented by Watch This, showcased her versatility and skill as a leading artist. Veronica Beattie George’s choreography in La Cage aux Folles, presented by David M. Hawkins in association with Arts Centre Melbourne, added flair and excitement to the production.
The awards are not just a celebration of the present, but also a tribute to the luminaries whose contributions have shaped the Australian performing arts landscape. Among them, Phillip Adams was recognised as a beacon of innovation and excellence, receiving two prestigious association awards for his monumental impact on the industry. As the founder and Artistic Director of Phillip Adams BalletLab, he has been a driving force in contemporary dance since the company’s inception in 1998.
One of the evening’s most unforgettable moments came with a breathtaking contemporary dance performance from Cuddle, captivating the audience with its technical brilliance. As the night unfolded, it became clear that the 41st Annual Green Room Awards not only celebrated the achievements of the past year but also served as a testament to the ongoing vibrancy and innovation of Melbourne’s performing arts community.
For more information about the Green Room Awards Association, this year’s winners and the other awards presented head over to https://www.greenroom.org.au/
See below for a full list of award winners in each category:
CABARET
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Spunk Daddy presented by Autonomous Inventions and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne Fringe
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
Ella Ganza in association with Joshua Taliani for BLAKOUT commissioned by YIRRAMBOI Festival and presented by Arts Centre Melbourne
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Greg Lavell for Cabaret Unscripted presented by Melbourne Unscripted and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne Fringe
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION
Casey Gould for Spunk Daddy presented by Autonomous Inventions and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne Fringe
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONGS
Gillian Cosgriff for Actually, Good presented by Gillian Cosgriff and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival
OUTSTANDING WRITING
Darby James for Spunk Daddy presented by Autonomous Inventions and The Butterfly Club as part of Melbourne Fringe
OUTSTANDING ARTISTE
Miss Friby for Galah. presented by Miss Friby Productions
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION DESIGN
Elizabeth Dawson-Smith and Louise Purcell for Galah. (stage) presented by Miss Friby Productions
CONTEMPORARY AND EXPERIMENTAL (CEP)
CONTRIBUTION TO SECTOR AND COMMUNITY
Kianna Oricci, Lay The Mystic and Efren Pamilacan for GENESIS presented by Arts House and Cypher Culture & Bukjeh
OUTSTANDING WORK
Betty Grumble for Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t produced by Performing Lines and presented by Arts House and Melbourne Fringe
PERFORMANCE BY A PERFORMER OR ENSEMBLE
Dan Daw for The Dan Daw Show presented by Arts House and RISING & Heather Cull, Sandy Daly, Marilyn Davies, Sally Goldner, Clare Larman, Terri Seddon, Jo Walker and Sandy Wood for WAKE produced by Performing Lines and presented by The Substation, Melbourne Fringe and THE RABBLE
DESIGN / TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Design Team for ~~~~~ “…derelict in uncharted space…” by Fayen d’Evie, Benjamin Hancock, Rebecca Bracewell, Luke D. King, Georgina Kleege, Nelly Kate, Andy Slater, Lloyd Mst, Jon Tjhia, Alex Craig, Anastasia La Fey, Aaron McPeake, Ashley Buchanan, Marco Cher-Gibard, Anna Seymour, Sheereen Perrin, George Thomas, Lorena Zapiain and Sheri Wells-Jensen presented by Chunky Move and Melbourne Fringe
DANCE
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Alisdair Macindoe for 4/4 presented by Chunky Move
BEST VISUAL / DIGITAL DESIGN
Lighting Design: Alex Nguyen and Marco Cher-Gibard for MOHINI presented by Raina Peterson and Arts House as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance
BEST SET / COSTUME DESIGN
Set Design: Paul Yore and Devon Ackermann, Costume Design: Toni Maticevski for Triptych presented by Phillip Adams BalletLab and Temperance Hall as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Antony Hamilton for Forever and Ever presented by Antony Hamilton and Sydney Dance Co.
BEST ENSEMBLE
Harrison Hall, Samuel Harnett-Welk, Benjamin Hurley, Oliver Savariego and Alexandra Dobson for Triptych presented by Phillip Adams BalletLab and Temperance Hall as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance
BEST PERFORMER (2 recipients)
Jesse Scales for Forever and Ever presented by Antony Hamilton and Sydney Dance Co.
Raghav Handa for TWO presented by Raghav Handa and Arts House as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance and produced by Performing Lines
BREAKING GROUND AWARD
Jackie Sheppard for The Honouring presented by Jackie Sheppard and Arts House as part of FRAME: A biennial of Dance
OUTSTANDING CREATION
Lucy Guerin for NEWRETRO presented by Lucy Guerin Inc.
INDEPENDENT THEATRE
BEST NEW WRITING
Liv Satchell with Chanella Macri and Emily Tomlins for i sat and waited but you were gone too long presented by VIMH in association with La Mama Theatre
BEST DIRECTION
Cassandra Fumi for The Crocodile presented by Spinning Plates Co. in association with fortyfivedownstairs
BEST PERFORMER
Cait Spiker for The Crocodile presented by Spinning Plates Co. in association with fortyfivedownstairs & Lily Fish for Rakali presented by Fish and Duncan as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
BEST ENSEMBLE
Clare Bartholomew, Nicci Wilks and Mozes for The Long Pigs presented by WE3 and Cluster Arts and Theatre Works
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Bronwyn Pringle for Prophet presented by Poiesis and Theatre Works
BEST SET AND COSTUME
Dann Barber for The Crocodile presented by Spinning Plates Co. in association with fortyfivedownstairs
BEST SOUND DESIGN AND COMPOSITION
Meena Shamaly and Camille El Feghali for Zaffé presented by Stéphanie Ghajar & Collaborators as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival
BEST PRODUCTION
Animal Farm presented by Bloomshed and Darebin Arts Speakeasy
MUSICAL THEATRE – COMMERCIAL/FUNDED
ARTISTS ENSEMBLE (INCLUDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE)
The Company for Once presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company
ARTISTS (LEADING)
Seann Miley Moore for Miss Saigon presented by Opera Australia in association with Cameron Mackintosh
ARTISTS (SUPPORTING)
Jack Chambers for Mary Poppins presented by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh in association with Michael Cassel Group
NEW AUSTRALIAN MUSIC THEATRE WRITING
Tom Gleisner (Book and Lyrics) and Katie Weston (Music) for Bloom presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
DESIGN
Silicon Theatre Scenery implement by Cam Balfour (Automation) for Miss Saigon presented by Opera Australia in association with Cameron Mackintosh
CHOREOGRAPHY
Michael Ralph for Elvis: A Musical Revolution presented by David Venn Enterprises
DIRECTION (MUSIC)
Guy Simpson (Supervisor) and Anthony Barnhill (Musical Director) for The Phantom of the Opera presented by Opera Australia and The Really Useful Group in association with Cameron Mackintosh
DIRECTION (STAGE AND TECHNICAL)
Laurence Connor and Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy (Stage) for Miss Saigon presented by Opera Australia in association with Cameron Mackintosh
OUTSTANDING MUSIC THEATRE PRODUCTION
Mary Poppins presented by Disney, Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Cassel Group
MUSICAL THEATRE – INDEPENDENT/FRINGE
ARTISTS ENSEMBLE (INCLUDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE)
The Angels (Carter Rickard, Cody Green, Jayden Prelc, Lochlan Erard, Samuel Allsop) for Kinky Boots presented by James Terry Collective
ARTISTS (LEADING)
Charmaine Gorman for A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum presented by Watch This
ARTISTS (SUPPORTING)
Javon King for Guys and Dolls presented by Antipodes Theatre Company
NEW AUSTRALIAN MUSIC THEATRE WRITING
Sarah Wynen for Blue to the Horizon presented by Sevenfold Theatre Company
DESIGN
Sidney Younger (Lighting) for BODY OF WORK – Parade, Songs for a New World
CHOREOGRAPHY
Veronica Beattie George for La Cage aux Folles presented by David M. Hawkins in association with Arts Centre Melbourne
MUSIC DIRECTION
David Butler for Guys and Dolls presented by Antipodes Theatre Company
DIRECTION
Martin Croft for Kinky Boots presented by James Terry Collective
OUTSTANDING INDEPENDENT MUSIC THEATRE PRODUCTION
Kinky Boots presented by James Terry Collective
OPERA
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A LEAD ROLE
Antoinette Halloran for Götterdämmerung presented by Melbourne Opera & Adrian Tamburini Götterdämmerung presented by Melbourne Opera
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Timo Riihonen for Tannhäuser presented by Opera Australia & Dimity Shepherd for Galileo presented by Victorian Opera
DESIGN
Dann Barber (Sets), Sabina Myers (Costumes) and Lisa Mibus (Lighting) for Melbourne Cheremushki presented by Victorian Opera
MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Conducting: Richard Mills for Galileo presented by Victorian Opera
NEW AUSTRALIAN OPERA
Richard Mills and Malcolm Angelucci for Galileo presented by Victorian Opera
BEST DIRECTION
Constantine Costi for Melbourne, Cheremushki presented by Victorian Opera
OUSTANDING SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
The Ring Cycle presented by Melbourne Opera
BEST PRODUCTION
Idomeneo presented by Victorian Opera
THEATRE COMPANIES
OUTSTANDING NEW AUSTRALIAN WRITING
Declan Furber Gillick for Jacky presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING COMPOSITION & SOUND DESIGN
Joe Paradise Lui for Is God Is presented by Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Rachel Burke for My Sister Jill presented by Melbourne Theatre Company and Wittenoom presented by Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre
DIRECTON
Susie Dee for My Sister Jill presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Marg Horwell for Bernhardt/Hamlet presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Marg Horwell for Escaped Alone and What If If only presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
My Sister Jill presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
My Sister Jill presented by Melbourne Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Danny Ball for Loaded presented by Malthouse Theatre & Chika Ikogwe for seven methods of killing kylie jenner presented by Malthouse Theatre in association with Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Green Door Theatre Company.
ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Work for Young Audiences (CEP)
The By Kids For Kids Collective for Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent presented by ArtPlay and House of Muchness
Betty Pounder Award for Original Australian Choreography (MT)
Michael Ralph for Elvis: A Musical Revolution presented by David Venn Enterprises
Geoffrey Milne Award (CEP)
Phillip Adams
Lifetime Achievement Award
Phillip Adams
Technical Achievement Award
Peter John Sidney Pettet
The 41st Green Room Awards continued the tradition of showcasing the vibrant and dynamic Melbourne arts scene, building upon the success of previous years. The exceptional talent displayed across various categories, from performers to directors, designers to writers, underscored the depth and diversity of the industry. This year’s ceremony heralded a new era of innovation and creativity, inspiring anticipation and excitement for the future of the performing arts. Congratulations to all the deserving winners and nominees who have enriched Melbourne’s cultural landscape with their outstanding contributions. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the Green Room Awards Association and the wider performing arts community are poised for an even brighter and more promising future.
