Wellington theatre awards finalists named

Sophie Hambleton in <i>Katydid</i>. Photo / Anita Pitu

The best in Wellington Theatre performance and craft will be recognised next month at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.

The awards were established in 1992 and are judged by a panel of Wellington theatre reviewers.

Katydid, about a nineteen year old woman living with Cerebral Palsy, has seven nominations, including Actress Of The Year for Sophie Hambleton.

Her father Peter is a finalist in the male equivalent, for Letter Writer, the story of a man who writes letters and speeches for those who can't do so themselves.

Katydid is also a finalist in Outstanding New Zealand Play Of The Year, along with The Guru of Chai, and The Second Test.

Two other awards to be presented on the night are Mayors Awards For Excellence, and the new Critic's Wild Card.

The awards will be given out at an awards ceremony at the Wellington Opera House on December 5th, tickets are available from the Downstage Theatre website.

Full list of finalists

Most Original Production Of The Year

360 A Nightsong Productions and Theatre Stampede collaboration
The Arrival Red Leap Theatre Company
Gene Pool Hoi Polloi

Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year

Jackson Coe Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
Ralph McCubbin-Howell Katydid
Paul Waggott Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year

Ella Becroft The Arrival
Alex Lodge Tea for Toot
Cian Elyse White Mo and Jess Kill Susie

Most Promising Director of the Year

Charlotte Bradley Katydid
Lara MacGregor My Name is Rachel Corrie
Phoebe Smith Skungpoomery

Costume Designer of the Year

Paul Jenden The NERO Show
Brian King The Great Gatsby
Elizabeth Whiting The Arrival

Lighting Designer of the Year

Jeremy Fern The Arrival
Jennifer Lal The December Brother
Nathan McKendry End Game

Set Designer of the Year

Ulli Briese Ninety
Brian King End Game
John Verryt The Arrival

Sound Designer Of The Year

Gil Eva Craig The December Brother
John Gibson 360
Thomas Press Doors. Walls. And Also Silence

Outstanding Composer of Music

Gareth Farr The NERO Show
Tane Upjohn-Beatson Katydid
David Ward The Guru of Chai

Outstanding New Playwright of the Year

Lucy O'Brien Katydid
Anya Tate-Manning Pirates Vs Ninjas
Alex Lodge/Cherie Jacobson/Ed Watson Tea for Toot

Outstanding New Zealand Play Of The Year

The Guru of Chai Jacob Rajan, Justin Lewis
Katydid Lucy O'Brien
The Second Test Jonathan Brugh

Supporting Actress of the Year

Darlene Mohekey Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
Rachel More Katydid
Lyndee-Jane Rutherford Mauritius

Supporting Actor of the Year

Christopher Brougham Dead Man's Cell Phone
Aaron Cortesi Mark Twain and me in Mâoriland
Tim Gordon The Letter Writer

Actress of the Year

Sophie Hambleton Katydid
Miranda Manasiadis The Great Gatsby

Actor Of The Year

Nick Blake Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
Christopher Brougham Me and Robert McKee
Simon Ferry Lullaby Jock
Peter Hambleton Letter Writer
Jacob Rajan The Guru of Chai

Outstanding Performance

Sophie Hambleton Katydid
Miranda Manasiadis The Great Gatsby
Nick Blake Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
Christopher Brougham Me and Robert McKee
Simon Ferry Lullaby Jock
Peter Hambleton Letter Writer
Jacob Rajan The Guru of Chai

Director of the Year

Justin Lewis The Guru of Chai
Julie Nolan The Arrival
Juliet O'Brien Letter Writer

Production of the Year

The Arrival Red Leap Theatre Company
The Guru of Chai Indian Ink
The Letter Writer Circa Theatre