The six finalists – all incredibly talented – performed alongside some big names in the industry, including Lucy Durack and the cast of Wicked, Caroline O’Connor, Craig McLachlan and the cast of Chicago, Anthony Callea and Rhonda Burchmore. HMT was very honoured to be the host of the inaugural concert, and we look forward to a long association with the Endowment to help emerging performers well into the future.

Monty Python’s Spamalot earned four nominations: Best Musical, Best Female Actor in a Musical (for Lucinda Shaw as Lady of The Lake), Best Male Actor in a Musical (for Bille Brown as King Arthur), and Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (for Derek Metzger as Patsy). The upcoming production of Chicago The Musical also got three nods, for Damien Bermingham (Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical), Gina Riley (Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical), and Sharon Millerchip (Best Female Actor in a Musical).

Billy Elliot The Musical was the big winner at last year’s ceremony, picking up 7 awards, including Best Musical. Spamalot played 151 performances at HMT between November 2007 and April 2008. Chicago opens in Melbourne on 15 August.

This year’s winners will be announced  on Monday 27 July at the award ceremony held at the Sydney Opera House. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Bio Channel on Foxtel.

Her Majesty’s Theatre congratulates all Helpmann nominees. A full list of nominations is available on the official website, www.helpmannawards.com.au