Offshore Theatre’s play, 2:20AM by Rebecca Lister has scooped the pool at the annual Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards gala in Wonthaggi on Saturday night.
Not only was the play hailed as the Most Outstanding Production but the director Melissa McMillan has won the award for Most Outstanding Director against some pretty stiff opposition including the likes of her colleague Amanda Price who directed Australians All, Scott Miller of OTL for The Laramie Project, Peta Crawford MDS for God of Carnage, Sue Lindsay Moartz for Mr Bailey’s Minder and Kylie Sinclair of WTC for the time-honoured Charley’s Aunt.
2.20AM is a contemporary drama laced with humour, grief, conflict and resolution which tackles the impact of suicide and bereavement head-on from several realistic perspectives leaving you questioning your own brushes with this incredibly tough situation.
And Offshore delivered the message from writer Rebecca Lister so strongly and faithfully as to earn the praise of the playwright herself after watching the production in October.
If discussion of these themes troubles you call Lifeline 24/7 on 131411.
As well as taking the top drama award, Offshore snatched a host of other awards for best actors, sets etc.
A fine effort all round and the cast, crew and whole company was delighted.
The winner of the Most Outstanding Musical Production was the Warragul Theatre Company with Jekyll & Hyde, also with the Most Outstanding Lead Male by Michael Gray for his role as Jekyll & Hyde and Most Outstanding Director by Liam Charleston, plus numerous design awards.
A highlight of the night was a reprise of his song as 'Roger' 'Keep It Gay' from Leongatha Lyric Theatre's production of The Producers by Dan Lawrie.
For their musical productions of School of Rock and Dusty Wonthaggi Theatrical Group took out the following awards:
- Most Outstanding Large Ensemble - Kids Ensemble (School of Rock)
- Most Outstanding Female Lead - Helena Leonardos (Rosalie Mullins, School of Rock)
- Most Outstanding Female Support - Shontelle O’Connor (Mary O’Brien, Dusty)
- Most Outstanding Youth Performance Under 13 - Jude Fisher (Billy, School of Rock)
Jude has also received a statewide nomination from the Music Theatre Guild Of Victoria for the Best Junior Performing in an Open Production for his role as Billy in School of Rock.
Offshore Theatre on Phillip Island took out the following awards:
- Amanda Price Most Outstanding Program Drama/Comedy 2:20am
- Gerry & Harley Petersen Most Outstanding Properties Gippsland Theatre (Australians All)
- Remi D'Agostin Most Outstanding Lighting Design Drama/Comedy 2:20am
- Chris White Most Outstanding Sound Design Drama/Comedy 2:20am
- Cast 2:20am Most Outstanding Small Ensemble
- Ashley Reed Most Outstanding Support Actor Drama/Comedy Australians All
- Chris White Most Outstanding Lead Actor Drama/Comedy 2:20am
- Melissa McMillan Most Outstanding Director 2:20am Drama/Comedy
- 2:20am Most Outstanding Production Drama/Comedy
- Cast of 'Australians All' Judges Certificate
Offshore won its judges certificate for "maintaining momentum" through COVID, including changing cast members and setting up to go with the production on several occasions only to be derailed at the last moment.
