Theatre stalwart honoured at annual awards evening

DUNEDIN’S Brian Beresford was rewarded for his decades of contribution to Dunedin theatre last night, while An Iliad won three major awards.

The theatre community got together at Hanover Hall for the ninth annual Dunedin Theatre Awards.

Beresford was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Dunedin theatre at the awards presented by the Dunedin Theatre Reviewers’ Collective.

An Iliad won awards for sound design, performance, and production of the year.

Award winners: WW1 commemoration, Homecoming, TheatreWorks and Theatre Studies; special performance achievement, Harrison Diver; lighting design, Martyn Roberts, Dark Matter; sound design, Shayne Carter, An Iliad; costume design, Rochelle Brophy, Elemental; performance, Helen Fearnley, Blood of the Lamb, Michael Hurst, An Iliad, Sara Georgie, Eloise in the Middle; emerging talent, Josephine Chan, Josephine Devereaux; script/narrative, Emily Duncan,

Eloise in the Middle; visiting production,

Hudson and Halls Live; community event,

Mental Notes, Suitcase Theatre; contribution to Dunedin theatre, Maryanne WrightSmyth; ensemble, cast of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, cast of 4 Note Opera; company of the year, Arcade Theatre Company; contribution to Dunedin theatre, Brian Beresford; most spectacular event,

Elemental, Brophy Aerials; public programme, Toitu OSM; Marama Tonu, Hahakaranga, Ake Ake Theatre Company; special achievement, 70th anniversary celebration year, Taieri Dramatic Society; director, Orion CareyClark, The Lieutenant of Inishmore; production, An Iliad, Fortune Theatre.