|
|
When news breaks, the theatre industry turns to Australia's biggest and best theatre website - AussieTheatre.com - online since 2003 |
Menu |
HELPMANN AWARDS 2006 |
 The Analyst: Best
Female Actor in a MusicalAussieTheatre.com Editor Troy Dodds takes a detailed look at the performers nominated in the Best Female Actor in a Musical category at the 2006 Helpmann Awards.... TAMSIN CARROLL  Show: Dusty Lowdown: While Dusty didn't set the world on fire as far as artistic excellence is concerned, Tamsin Carroll was considered a shining light and most said she was the highlight of the show. Carroll had worked on the show for some time before finally officially taking the role for the initial Melbourne season and the tour that followed. Why she will win: It was arguably the year's best performance. Carroll worked with a script that was a little all over the place and pulled it off superbly. She has been talked about as a Helpmann winner since the show opened in January. Why she won't win: The show didn't set the world on fire and this could have a negative result. Some also believe Carroll didn't pull off Springfield, even though they are in the minority. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Troy Dodds): "Some have claimed Tamsin Carroll is absolutely brilliant in the lead role of Dusty – others have said she’s simply not up to the task. Personally, I thought Carroll was a stand out. Some of her numbers made the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention and there were moments you really thought you were watching Dusty Springfield live in concert. Carroll has perfected the role – and that’s the way it should be, given the length of time she has worked on the production." Fantasy Odds: $2.00 Final say: Tamsin Carroll should win the category with ease. Her competition is strong, but the effort, dedication and commitment she put into the role should be rewarded, and most likely will be. AMANDA HARRISON  Show: Leader of the Pack Lowdown: Harrison did not appear in the Sydney production of Leader of the Pack but took the role of Ellie Greenwich for the Melbourne season. Many said she turned the show around - her talent obvious in a show that ran for just seven weeks. Why she will win: Harrison is a proven talent and certainly made Leader of the Pack a better show to watch. Why she won't win: The fact that the show opened a year ago and closed within two months may hamper her chances. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Troy Dodds): "Taking the role of Ellie Greenwich, Amanda Harrison is superb, delivering a standout performance that gives this show the knockout punch it so desperately craved in Sydney. Leader of the Pack isn’t he best musical in the world – there’s no doubt about that – but Harrison gives the show a sense of expectation, and a new dimension we didn’t see in Sydney. She’s a wonderful talent, and carries this show from start to finish with an excellent performance both vocally and visually." Fantasy Odds: $11.00 Final say: I can't see her winning. While the role was a detailed one, it could be considered "soft", and the competition in the category is quite tough. MARINA PRIOR  Show: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Lowdown: Prior, one of the true leading ladies of Australian musical theatre, appeared alongside an all-star cast in the Melbourne Theatre Company production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She, and the show, received mostly positive reviews. Why she will win: She's a superb actress and couldn't be faulted in her performance in this show. Why she won't win: Having Tamsin Carroll as her competition is the biggest stumbling block. The Age review, in part (Helen Thomson): "Marina Prior, with her considerable vocal powers, is a great asset to the cast. As Rona Lisa Peretti, realtor extraordinaire and ex-spelling bee champion, she delightfully sends up the blonde chick on heels who generously showers her sex appeal on any male aged over 12. This even encompasses the teenager on parole whose community service order has made him the show's Comfort Counsellor (Bert Labonte), a serious responsibility when every heart but one will be broken on the way to a winner." Fantasy Odds: $6.00 Final say: She's the most likely to cause an upset but at the end of the day the competition she faces will be tough. From what I've heard, Prior winning this award would not be unwarranted. MAGDA SZUBANSKI  Show: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Lowdown: Magda Szubanski is best known for her television work but was certainly not out of place on stage, and was one of the highlights of the Melbourne Theatre Company season of Spelling Bee. Her casting was unique as a male was cast in the Broadway version of the show. Why she will win: The public love her, and her performance in this show was first class. Why she won't win: Marina Prior was probably the female highlight of this show and would probably win ahead of the lovely Magda. Tamsin Carroll also provides tough competition. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Michael Magnusson): "Rather than cast a male actor as was done on Broadway the most ingenious piece of local casting is Magda Szubanski as the overweight and sinus-plagued William Barfee. Her performance as an adolescent boy would have to rank as the most grotesque since Julie Forsyth’s in Kid Stuff." Fantasy Odds: $9.90 Final say: She's not without hope but Tamsin Carroll is the clear favourite to win this category. The fact that she essentially orginated a female version of this role will be a help to her chances. |