The 2020 Helpmann Awards has been cancelled as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Live Performance Australia (LPA) made the announcement today, citing the restrictions on live performances venues as the reason behind the cancellation.
“Due to restrictions on public gatherings, it was simply not feasible to proceed with our planning for the 2020 Helpmann Awards,” LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson, said in a statement.
“While we are deeply disappointed to make this decision, we have a wider responsibility to prioritise the health and welfare of our staff, industry and the Australian community to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“It is also the case that we need to focus on the survival of our live performance industry which has been devastated by the COVID-19 forced shutdowns.
“Our number one priority right now is to secure more government support for the hundreds of thousands of people across our industry who have lost income and work as a result of the shutdowns.
“We also want to make sure our industry is in the best position it can be to recover once the public health crisis passes, and bring back to millions of Australians the pleasure of live theatre and music presented by some of the world’s best creative talent."
The 2020 ceremony, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts, was originally scheduled to go ahead in Melbourne later this year.
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