finley nominations for musicals.

The Finley nominations for musicals are as follows. Best costumes: Honk - Nine Lives Productions. Mame - Murray Music and Drama Jonah - Playlovers Spamalot - Playlovers. My Fair Lady - Darlington Best Set: Into the Woods - Roleystone Jonah - Playlovers Nine - Playlovers My Fair Lady - Darlington Spamalot - Playlovers. Breakthrough Charlie Darlington - Malice in Wunderland- Darlington Imogen Guest - Sound of Music, Stage Left Alistair Smith - Sound of Music, Stage Left Charlotte Devenport - Devil Downtown - UDS Emma Davis - Nine - Roleystone. Youth Award Ashlea Tunbridge - Honk, Nine Lives Productions. Charlie Darlington - Malice in Wunderland , Darlington Tess Hutchinson - Delicious House, Mesh Scott Blachford - Honk, Nine Lives productions. Best Musical Theatre Performer - Female Charlotte Devenport - Devil Downtown - UDS Carolyn Latter - Jonah , Playlovers. Cassandra Kotchie - My Fair Lady- Darlington Kerryn Lockhart - Sound of Music , Stage Left Louisa Fitzharding - Reefer Madness - Blak Yak Best Musical Theatre Performer - Male Tyler Jones - Spamalot - Playlovers Travis Hooper - Sound of Music, Stage Left Allan Schintu - My Fair Lady, Darlington Rod Worth - Jonah , Playlovers Jon Lambert - Honk, Nine Lives productions. Tyler Jones - Jonah , Playlovers. Best Choreography Kylie Baker - Altar Boyz - Mesh Joanne Neesham - Reefer Madness - Blak Yak Jess Dunn - Devil Downtown - UDS Hilary Readings - Jesus Christ Superstar - Wanneroo Kristen Twynham Perkins - Spamalot - Playlovers. Best Musical Direction Tim How - Altar Boyz- Mesh Matt Austin - Reefer Madness - Blak Yak Andrew Dobosz - My Fair Lady - Darlington Alistair Smith - Jonah- Playlovers Matt Austin - Into the Woods - Roleystone Kate McIntosh - Jesus Christ Superstar - Wanneroo. Best Director of a Musical Lorna Mackie - Reefer Madness - Blak Yak John Milson - Jonah - Playlovers. Ryan Taaffe - Jesus Christ Superstar - Wanneroo Kimberley Shaw - Spamalot - Playlovers.

Best set - Nine - Roleystone, not Playlovers www.meltheco.org.au

To ask a potentially stupid question, why no nominations for Fiddler on the Roof? It was a very good play, and I'd place the male lead performance up against anyone on this list.

I agree i thought the guy that played Tevye was awesome .... so convincing.... But each to their own depends on what the judging criteria is I guess but Congrutulations to all nominated what a fantastic year of Theatre

It's not difficult to find performances etc that in the opinion of an individual were passed over. I felt that Kim Harris in the Rolystone production of My Fair Lady was a standout performance. I felt that Robert Woods was overlooked for 'Breakthrough' for the job he in writing and directing 'Delicious House' and I could go on. There's not a lot I can do apart from feel sorry for them. If you think you can make a positive contribution to the judging process, Kim S, Ryan T and Paul T would love to hear from you.

Agree with Callan, we have had a great year but - I would have thought that at least Tevye & Golde would have received a nomination. Also, costumes were very good. Congratulations to all nominees.

I agree with Callan, wally wally and the Captain. Fiddler on the Roof definitely should have got a look in. Tevye was certainly one of the stand-out performers of the year. A nomination should also be awarded to the guy who played Perchik: he had such effective physical attributes and a strong, confident singing voice. Hands down he should have received a nomination for 'Best Musical Theatre Performer - Male'. From what I hear the judging can be quite biased and the criteria in which the judges should assess is often averted or ignored. Better luck next time to the cast of Fiddler on the Roof. However congratulations to all nominees, whether those decisions be biased or not. It does help being friends with the judges!

One of the adjudicator's didn't like Tevye's performance, saying he struggled from the moment he walked on stage in their critique.

You can also boycott the Finley Awards and not enter them, like Harbour Theatre.

I think you'll find, Mr Barclay, that adjudicator was incorrect. His struggling was a result of his physical characterisation, which simultaneously aged him and provided the audience with his social status (lower class: poor).

According to last night's presentations, there were over 60 productions adjudicated this year, of which about 20 were musicals. I saw one musical this year with a cast of 40, another with a cast of 5, and every conceivable number in between. I do not envy those who have the task of selecting 5 or so from this lot for nomination. Let's please remember that part of the beauty of theatre is it's subjective nature; I've been to many a show I found wonderful, only to have my friends violently disagree, and I've also walked out of awful shows to hear audience raving in the foyer! There are performances I witnessed this year that I'm surprised didn't get nominated...but I'm not going to go so far as assume that mine is the only valid opinion in Perth and say they should be nominated over anybody else. I agree with Callan...it's been a wonderful year of theatre.

Then that's something the adjudicator should be taken to task over and highlights their inadequacy in the role (which was filling in for someone else).

You said it pal.

that there was no nominations for the any of the cast of JC superstar. I thought they were excellent.

...it's ALL about getting awards nominations or pissing about it when you don't get one. Those are the SOLE reasons for doing theatre. I've been at home all day railing against the inequity of it all, holding the knife to my wrists, and cursing everyone who adjudicated or got nominated or even attended theatre this year because 2010 is suddenly empty with no Finley nomination. Why why why, boohoohoo!!! I may have to find a new career because I won't have a Finley on my resume. My friends will shun me without one. Oh whoa is me. After all, having attended all 67 productions I'm in the perfect position to know people were gipped and just plain robbed. Does no-one care for their fragile egos, particularly those musical theatre types who are so so sensitive. If only theatre was about being a hobby and entertaining people but I NEED the acclaim a Finley brings otherwise what's the friggin' point? Given some people are STUPID enough to get so upset about the Finleys I'll point out the venomous dripping sarcasm of this post so that you don;t spend all night nodding your heads vigorously in agreement.

...I'm a little bit in love with you just now..... x ;p

The amount I love this post is inexplicable in words!

Wait a sec, I don't think this was ever meant to be a rant about the injustices of the awards..surely Jmuzz and everyone can realise that it's just a case of someone expressing their opinion, and yes some people do get carried away with their own opinions sometimes, but they're entitled to express them. It is difficult when you see a show that has had a sold out season, solid feedback and standout performances from individual performers, and yet zero nominations to its name. OK, so being 'rejected' so to speak, is a half-expected reality in theatre. It doesn't mean it isn't a letdown when it happens. There surely were enough categories that it would have been more than eligible, even just for one. And that goes for other worthy productions this year. The number restriction is, in many ways, quite unfair in terms of failing to recognise EVERY great production that has been performed this year. The only other way to avoid it would be to not have the awards at all, but not many people would like that. I understand the pressures on the adjudicators though, and appreciate the difficulties of working within the limitations of the criteria. Nonetheless, well done to all nominees. It would be nice not to have these controversies draw attention away from a good list of noteworthy productions. Chookas to all.

...someone has something of VALUE to offer in the first place. Personally I'd vote your post up - I think it's poor form it's been moderated down. But, having said that, I'll address your points. You say you don't think it was a rant in regards to the injustice of the awards. Let's cast a critical eye on some of those inspired comments; "From what I hear the judging can be quite biased and the criteria in which the judges should assess is often averted or ignored. Better luck next time to the cast of Fiddler on the Roof. However congratulations to all nominees, whether those decisions be biased or not. It does help being friends with the judges!" - Walt Disney "Then that's something the adjudicator should be taken to task over and highlights their inadequacy in the role (which was filling in for someone else)." - Simon Barclay "You can also boycott the Finley Awards and not enter them, like Harbour Theatre." - Tilly Grant We're one step away here from hunting down the judges and lynching them from the nearest street post! Post away about who you felt was overlooked by all means but for Buddha's sake, do it without the emotive language of a spoilt child. It's not that difficult. Personally I thought the guy who played Jimmy in Reefer was excellent - he didn't get nominated. I heard Julia Hern was excellent in Into the Woods - she didn't get nominated. Cry me a river. You mention that certain productions had sold out seasons, solid feedback and standout performances and didn't get nominated. Yep, no surprise there. Many of the musicals in particular sell out, there are always people who have nice things to say, and there is usually at least one great performance. Whaddya do? Have Ryan and Kerri read a list of 30 odd nominees so no one gets the irrits? Or read a list of those the adjudicators truly believe WERE the standouts of the standouts? You suggest that the only fair way to avoid such ommissions may be to NOT have the awards at all. I totally agree. Now, YOU go and sell that to the clubs 'cos I don't want the job. THEY want the awards. Judging by the noise last year during every musical theatre category, so do the musical theatre crowd. Perhaps a simpler solution would be to provide all and sundry a good hard cup of Shut the F**k Up during the month of January. How about people just take it on the chin, swallow the disappointment, or come back next year and try again? The point of my post dear Temper is that theatre is NOT about awards and if anyone does it for that I hope they NEVER get a Finley because you've relegated the audience to second consideration right away. Why not just be happy that your production entertained its audience? That's your reward. I'd exchange all the awards I've been given for a chance to relive some of the cast parties I've had when it's said and done, or to catch up with some of the long-lost friends I made in theatre. Awards are the LEAST important thing and if you need one to be happy with your contribution or validation thereof, you've got a serious problem with your personal ego. I appeared in one production this year. I was so excited to be a part of it. I had great visions of how this would be me showing I could take a lead role in a serious play and make it my own. I sucked. I was so disappointed that I couldn't translate what was in my head to what appeared on stage. It made me think about giving theatre a miss altogether because I didn't want to let people down like I felt I had again. But even if I hadn't felt that way, even if I had been magnificent, transcendant, incandescent on stage - who knows if I would have made that connection with the adjuidicators? I can only do what I can do in terms of performance and hope that the audience connects. If I do that, then I feel I personally succeeded. I can't worry about adjudicators and awards - I'll be focussing on that and not the performance and I refuse to worry about things I can not effect and are extraneous to the reason for being onstage in the first place. For those not nominated - sorry. Here is your acting challenge for this month. Act humble, act generously, act graciously, emote hubris, embrace celebration. If you're caught acting, perhaps you aren't as good a performer or human being as you thought you were.

Fiddler had major problems. Clever set - badly performed scene changes, the crew did the best they could, but it was still clunky and bloody dangerous too. No rapport or chemistry between Golde and Tevye (the performers disliked each other intensely) Girls with crappy fake beards due to lack of men. Some mens costumes with modern shoes with no attempt to at least modify them. So many people on stage in some scenes they were pushing past each other. Wrong venue for the show, full stop. Shows are judged on the whole show WHICH INCLUDES PRODUCTION VALUES not just performances. If you can't get enough stage hands, or find clever ways to streamline changes, DO ANOTHER SHOW! Overall Old Mill's standard was not up to scratch this year, lets hope they lift their game in 2011, then they might start getting more nominations. Because they might actually deserve them.

Wasn't that a certain director/ITA committee member/Finley Coordinator/entrant's ploy last year? Of course its ok when she does it. Hilariously it backfired though. And its great when an adjudicato spilt the beans prior to the awards last year too,just so ethical.

Three Comments: 1. Everyone's comments above show the massive differences of opinion of everyone in the theatre community. This is because we are human, and entitled to our own opinion. As are the judges, who (in case you were wondering) are human too. 2. People like accolades, sure. As an actor, my accolades occur when the audience claps their appreciation at the end, and when a stranger comes up to me after a show and says "I really enjoyed your performance." A Finlay would be nice, but it's not necessary for me to believe I've done a good job. 3. Community theatre is about COMMUNITY - don't bag others, if you know what they could have done to better their performance, let them know so they can do that the next time. We are all in this together. (Hmmmm....I think there's a song in that!) OK. Two cents worth duly entered.

Bypassing the massive discussion above me and simply offering my congratulations to all nominees for 2010! Enjoy the ceremony! :D

Iskandar R. Sharazuddin

Artistic Director - Ellandar Productions [http://www.ellandarproductions.com.au]

Thanks for a thought-provoking opinion. However; I do prefer comments that are as nasty as this one to be a little less anonymous. I take it that you didn't like Fiddler on the Roof? Anyway, it's kind of gratifying that Old Mill is now seen as a tall poppy. It's true that we've worked very hard in the past few years to earn a bit of respect in the theatre community, and we're very proud that we were at the forefront of nominations and awards over the past couple of years. Up until then, the 5 nominations we received this years (spanning 3 out of our 5 productions) would have been seen as a major triumph. We're obviously on the right track if 2010 was viewed by some as a disappointment - it certainly isn't seen that way by us at Old Mill. Let's face it... the community theatre scene in WA is a very strong one. An 'average' production is still good quality theatre, and something has to be pretty special to be recognised on awards night. Hopefully we'll continue on the right track in 2011 with the kind of consistency that has led to 13 of our last 16 productions earning at least one Finley nomination. More importantly, hopefully our audiences will feel confident that they are going to have a good night when they come to our theatre. Actually, even more importantly than that, I'm hoping that the community at large will realise more and more that productions hosted by Old Mill, and other community theatres around Perth, are a bloody good standard - and that it's very rare nowadays for an amateur production to be 'amateurish'.... ...and that our theatre community is a community that they might want to be a part of, or at least visit from time to time... hmmm... not sure that Walter-Over-The-Egos's post is going to help...

Wow, I'm rather surprised, and appalled, at some of the replies here - specifically, jmuzz. Seriously people, this begins with a simple question as to why Fiddler received no nominations, and it turns into moronic ranting by some. Walter Over-the-egos. You're right in that Fiddler had major problems, but doesn't every show? You're also spot-on with some criticisms such as the modern footwear; dangerous sets etc. However, how does that impact on the performances of those playing Tevye or Golda? Were they the best performances of the year? I have absolutely no idea. It does seem odd though that a number of shows totally missed out on nominations whilst others such as My Fair Lady; Jesus Christ Superstar; Reefer Madness etc seem to share in a glut of awards. As someone who does not take part in community theatre, it just seems rather odd that this would be the case, hence my original question.

I appreciate the intelligent and well thought-out replies, with the exception of Walter Over-the-Egos - whose claims about Tevye and Golde's lack of chemistry and 'intense dislike' of each other are unfounded. And, honestly, not everyone is in theatre to have their ego stroked. Many people have worked exceptionally hard on productions this year, giving up free time and other pursuits to make sure theatre lovers - and dare I say it, adjudicators - adore the show, which is probably the main source of disappointment when a nomination is denied. But hey, you win some, you lose some. It's not much different to that heart-sinking sensation many (if not most) young WAAPA hopefuls experience upon working for months on their audition pieces for the one annual opportunity that they get to try and earn a place, only to be denied even a callback. Eh, it happens. If they gave everyone a callback it would take another half a year. The same goes for the Finleys, which as one of you aptly put it, are only really able to highlight the standouts of the standouts. Anyway, I'm not here for the flame wars. The only thing to take away from this is that we can look forward to WA community theatre companies working hard to give us a reason to keep loving what our talented, passionate and hardworking locals have to offer - and not just for the sake of getting an award.

Well said, jmuzz. We can all use this opportunity to improve our act - maybe life can then imitate art! Wishing everyone a happy, creative & inspiring New Year :-) L

..to that!

Correction on the name of best choreography nominee. It should be Kristen Twynam-Perkins.

This is a very good point If any nominees names are misspelled, pleaase let us know ASAP so we can get the programme correct (Kristen, Mel, already fixed yours)

My name isn't spelt incorrectly, but I wasn't at all involved in the Sound of Music. Assuming that I was actually nominated under the 'breakthrough' category, it would be for my work as the MD of Jonah...

Hey Al, You ARE nominated for Best MD for 'Jonah'! I can only assume that there must be another Alistair Smith involved with Stage Left's 'SOUND OF MUSIC' :-)

LOL. What of the chances of there being 2 people with the same name?! My bad!!

Hey Paul, my name has an 'e' on the end: Louisa Fitzhardinge. Thanks ;)

Hello Alistair Ah yes, there is a young man in Kalgoorlie who is involved in musical theatre and his name is Alistair Smith. Kerri

Sorry Paul, 2 Ls in Hillary.Thank You

I completely agree with Norma. Censorship? Are people removing comments as they are personally hurt? Or does truth hurt? Ha! Personally, I'm quite interested to see those comments that were banished. Also, jmuzz: do you plan on bringing out a book any time soon? You're very passionate. You could title it 'My Responses to The Responses: A Finley Award Nomination Guide'. And Louisa, I think you'll find your name does not have an 'e' on the end but a '-ding-dinger'. "Louisa Fitzharding-ding-dinger".

i think they shuld definatly lynch the judges. ur so right mjuzz. i luv u.

Nice to hear someone say what it is all about.... I appreciate the the awards of a house full applause over 4 individuals ..dont just love January..:)

Same bullshit different year. Toughen up ya bloody pack of princesses! In a month you'll all bitch again after the awards. In two months you'll all be over it, and bitching about who didn't get cast in which play or musical. In twelve months you be bitching about the noms for this adjudication year. And I defy anyone off the top of their head (ie without reference to this site) to name the winner of best play and musical from 5 years ago. I'd say a large majority wouldn't remember, much less care. I'm more worried about global warming, the floods in Queensland, WA's dwindling water supplies, and such like before I give a damn about who didn't get what in the nominations for the Finley's This year I organised a memorial trophy for my dear friend Sue that passed away for Best Director of a play for the Finley's. I should have had to get in line in the fight to do it, but I wasn't.... because of the high degree of selfishness and meanness of spirit that seems to be growing in the theatre community more and more each year. Well,I am sick of it. Go crawl under your rock if you can't handle rejection and failure, which in case you haven't worked out, is a fact of life. Life is not fair, get over it! You'd think you were on multi million dollar salaries the way some of you carry on. Well you aren't, you are just plain old everyday people that happen to do theatre for the love of it, so; some of you may have professional ambitions, fine, but just remember there are a lot of extremely talented performers out there on the dole, or working in other professions because its the biggest "chew em up and spit em out" industry on the planet. Grow up and get a freakin life, start looking past your own blinkered outlook, and start learning a little bit of breadth of spirit. Here's a new years resolution for you to try, start celebrating other peoples successes, and stop running other peoples efforts down, because you truly show what kind of human being you are by behaving otherwise. To Kerri, Ryan, Paul, Kimberley, Norma, and everyone else that pulls their finger out and gives something back to the theatre coummunity in Perth year in and year out in the face of constant denigration and criticism from a pack of inplacable pigs that you lot can be sometimes, deserve a bloody medal for putting up with it year in and year out. While we are on the subject, there are a lot of people that have worked to keep out theatres running year in and year out, and they are getting older and tired, and if we don't start having more younger people to come forward and help, a lot of theatres will start to close their doors, which means no shows being put on, which means no more awards. Serve you all bloody right too if it happens. Happy New Year R.

...this to be The Post Of The Year thus far. Well put, Robert. El

Here here

Here here

Just to clear myself I was not in any way disrespecting the nominees or those nominated in my earlier post just stating that i thought the guy that played fiddler was good and a little suprised. I pass no judgement on the other nominees as i did not see all the performances. Sorry for starting the arguement :( Why cant the Finley night be a night of celebration. Celebrating a year of Theatre in WA. Why do we need to have nominee's and awards ? does a trophy or a certificate really mean the world. Personally the satisfaction that the old lady paying $15 a ticket had a wonderful night sure means a heck of alot more to me then a trophy or a certificate. We should all get together as a community and celebrate not compare and judge one another. Just a thought

I saw or participated in some wonderful productions this year. If I wasn’t in it, then a friend was. Did I think they deserved nominations? You’re damn right I did. But as clubs or theatres you enter these awards to be judged and that’s exactly what you got. The Adjudicators give up large amounts of time out of their lives (on top of theatre/work/uni/family commitments ect.) to travel all around Perth & beyond to see these shows, organise things like Dramafest, Sundowners, Finley’s and everything else. If you don’t like the job their doing, all I can say is...I don’t see you doing any better. As it’s been so rightly put; If you want to participate, there are people who would appreciate your call. Were there people that deserved nominations who didn’t get them? That's a matter of personal opinion, but that doesn’t mean the people who were nominated deserve them any less. Congratulations Everyone! Even if you don’t win an award, it doesn’t make you any less deserving of recognition for the work you’ve put into your theatre this past year.