Cirque is in the House – Helpmann Awards welcome Cirque du Soleil

The 2012 Helpmann Awards ceremony is edging ever closer and it seems the televised event won’t be short on entertainment.

The regular fare will be on display at the 2012 Helpmann Award ceremony on Monday 24 September, including performances from the South Pacific company, the A Chorus Line company, Artistes from the Australian Ballet and Dan Sultan with a Tribute to Jimmy Little.

But it was announced today by the Helpmann Awards’ Executive Producer Jon Nicholls, that internationally acclaimed company Cirque du Soleil will also be performing at the annual ceremony this year marking the first time ever that Cirque will perform at the Sydney Opera House.

The Helpmann Awards are presented by Live Performance Australia (LPA) and celebrate a national industry which generates over $1.3 bilion yearly and attracts over 17 million people to live shows nation wide.

It is understood that a unique Cirque du Soleil performance is being assembled specifically for the 2012 Helpmann Awards ceremony, featuring several of the acts from OVO, which is currently touring the country. Over 20 members from the 54-strong OVO cast will be performing at the event.

“We are very excited to be a part of this celebration of the Australian performing arts industry.  Cirque du Soleil has been regularly coming to Australia since 1999 and our shows around the world have included many talented Australian artists and we treasure our ongoing strong relationship with the Australian arts community”, said Marjon van Grunsven, Artistic Director of OVO.

“I am delighted that such a brilliant company as Cirque du Soleil has agreed to join the plethora of extraordinary talent appearing on this year’s Helpmann Awards Celebration”, said Jon Nicholls.

“Another exciting announcement is that Bernadette Robinson, who is nominated as Best Female Actor in a Play for her sensational role in Songs for Nobodies, will also perform at the Ceremony. Songs for Nobodies is also nominated in three other categories. Best Play, Best Director, Simon Phillips and Best New Australian Work, Joanna Murray Smith”, he said.

Simon Burke will return to the Helpmanns this year as MC and a full list of nominations can be seen here.

Tickets for 2012 Helpmann Awards Ceremony can be purchased from the Sydney Opera House Box Office 02 9250 7777 or www.sydneyoperahouse.com

The Helpmann Awards will be broadcast exclusively on Australia’s arts and entertainment channel STUDIO – channel 132 on Foxtel the following evening. See the full ceremony recorded live on Tuesday 25 September at 8.30pm.