Queensland Theatre Company dominated the 38th Matilda Awards on Monday night, claiming multiple major honours as the state’s performing arts sector gathered at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Playhouse to celebrate the standout productions of 2025.

Hosted in the QPAC Playhouse, the annual award ceremony recognised excellence across mainstage, independent and regional productions, highlighting the breadth of theatre-making across the state.

In his first full year as Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre, Daniel Evans led the company to a commanding showing. Its production of A Few Good Men emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking out the QPAC Award for Best Mainstage Production.

Queensland Theatre’s A Few Good Men. Photo © Stephen Henry

Evans won Best Direction for the work, while Courtney Cavallaro was named Best Leading Performer in a Mainstage Production and Reagan Mannix won Best Supporting Performer – Mainstage Production.

Design and technical awards also flowed to the production, with Mike Willmett (Best Composition and/or Sound Design) and Ben Hughes (Best Lighting Design) recognised for their contributions.

Beyond the mainstage, independent and regional artists featured strongly. Gold Coast-based Shock Therapy Arts’ CROSSING THE DIVIDE won Best Ensemble and the Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work, honouring creators Sam Foster, Hayden Jones and Benjin Maza. The company’s success underscored the vitality of Queensland’s independent sector.

Arc Circus and The Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers won Best Circus or Physical Theatre Production and Best Costume Design for Living Sculptures: How The Birds Got Their Colours, while Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre’s Blushing received the QPAC Award for Best Independent Production.

In performance categories, Rachel Nutchey won Best Leading Performer – Independent Production for Superheroes (Bodysnatchers Theatre), and Malika Savory took out Best Supporting Performer – Independent Production for The Dead Devils of Cockle Creek (Cut & Run Productions).

Natalie Abbott and Mat Verevis in The Lovers. Photo © Joel Devereux

Shake & Stir Theatre Co marked its 20th year with a win for The Lovers, which received the Griffith University Award for Best Musical or Cabaret.

The prestigious Gold Matilda was presented to Louise Bezzina, former artistic director of Brisbane Festival and now chief executive and artistic director of Brisbane Powerhouse, in recognition of her leadership and impact on the sector.

Queensland designers were also recognised, with Christina Smith (Best Set Design for Pride and Prejudice) and Craig Wilkinson (Best Video Design for Dear Son) among the winners.

Matilda Awards 2025

Gold Matilda Award:
Louise Bezzina

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work:
CROSSING THE DIVIDE – Sam Foster, Hayden Jones & Benjin Maza (Shock Therapy Arts)

QPAC Award for Best Mainstage Production:
A Few Good Men – Queensland Theatre Company in association with QPAC

QPAC Award for Best Independent Production:
Blushing – Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre

Best Direction:
Daniel Evans – A Few Good Men (Queensland Theatre Company)

Griffith University Award for Best Musical or Cabaret:
The Lovers – Shake & Stir Theatre Co

Best Ensemble:
CROSSING THE DIVIDE – Shock Therapy Arts

Best Circus or Physical Theatre Production:
Living Sculptures: How The Birds Got Their Colours – Arc Circus & The Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers

Best Performance in a Leading Role – Mainstage Production:
Courtney Cavallaro – A Few Good Men

Best Performance in a Leading Role – Independent Production:
Rachel Nutchey – Superheroes

Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Mainstage Production:
Reagan Mannix – A Few Good Men

Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Independent Production:
Malika Savory – The Dead Devils of Cockle Creek

Bille Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist:
Fletcher Colfs

QUT School of Creative Arts Behind the Scenes Award:
Eben Love

Best Set Design:
Christina Smith – Pride and Prejudice

Best Costume Design:
Maria McRae – Living Sculptures: How The Birds Got Their Colours

Best Composition and/or Sound Design:
Mike Willmett – A Few Good Men

Best Lighting Design:
Ben Hughes – A Few Good Men

Best Video Design:
Craig Wilkinson – Dear Son