29-730: The JC Williamson Award (formally known as the James Cassius Williamson Award), is an lifetime achievement award presented annually as a sector of the Helpmann Awards , governed by Live Performance Australia. The awards are named after the American actor, who became Australia's foremost pioneering leading theatre entrepreneur James Cassius Williamson The board of directors of the JC William Awards committee elects recipients who are members of
58-416: A comedic investigation where they attempted to enter The Star casino while displaying as many COVID-19 symptoms as possible to see whether they would be allowed inside during the pandemic. In one attempt, Aleksa tried entering the casino while dressed in hospital surgical garbs, dragging an IV drip stand on wheels, with a high forehead temperature. Despite telling the casino staff that he had come straight from
87-537: A consortium of Leighton Properties and Showboat was announced by the NSW Casino Control Authority as the successful applicant for New South Wales' first casino licence. A temporary casino was opened by Acting Prime Minister Kim Beazley on 13 September 1995 on the site of former wharves 12/13. The permanent casino, designed by Sydney architect, Philip Cox , in joint partnership with American architect, Hillier, opened on 27 November 1997,
116-436: A nearby hospital, he was allowed to enter the casino where he spent his time using the gaming machines while wearing a white shirt saying "I have covid" in bold black letters. "When I rocked up with my hospital gown and drip, the first thing they asked me was whether I had a Star Casino gold membership card." Alex Apollonov followed Aleksa into the casino with a forehead temperature of 48 degrees (achieved using heat packs), which
145-463: A new game Double-Chance was trialed but was discontinued soon after; Players, referring to the game's high house advantage, dubbed the game 'No-Chance'. At the end of 2006, Star City introduced a new game, three card baccarat, following minor reorganization of its main gaming floor in preparation for the smoking ban in July 2007 and planned extensions to its gaming floors. This game was also removed from
174-737: A number of large losses in 2002. Recent rebuilding works have added extra gaming areas for the main gaming floor with the addition of the Oasis Lounge and the 36 Degrees Bar although these new areas have not increased the number of tables or machines available in total. The main gaming floor is divided into three major parts — Table Games, Electronic Gaming, and Poker . The number of poker tables has been steadily increased and now stands at 40 tables. The Sovereign Room has been upgraded and now includes four additional private gaming rooms and extra dining and lounge amenities. These extensions have an estimated cost of $ 7,000,000. Another recent upgrade
203-458: Is limited to a maximum 1500. As in most casinos, the gaming floors of the venue are constantly monitored by a security camera system. Cameras mounted on the roof and in the table signs are used to ensure that all actions are logged. The footage can be used to settle player disputes, identify cheating, and be used in the Australian court system for prosecution . $ 500 chips were removed from
232-641: Is linked to the full list of winners and nominees from that year following the ceremony. The Star, Sydney The Star Sydney (formerly Star City Casino and prior to that, Sydney Harbour Casino ) in Pyrmont , Sydney , is the second largest casino in Australia after Melbourne 's Crown Casino . Overlooking Darling Harbour , The Star, owned by Star Entertainment Group features two gaming floors, one bar , 3 restaurants , 351 hotel rooms and 130 serviced and privately owned apartments. It also includes
261-674: Is the addition of a new "ultra exclusive" area directly above the Sovereign Room called the Chairmans Lounge. This is accessed by invitation only, and there are currently fewer than 500 Diamond Card Members that are entitled to use the Chairmans Lounge. Star City has recently opened the sports bar as well. The Star provides many traditional casino games, including Mini Baccarat , Blackjack , Caribbean Stud , Craps , Pai Gow , Poker, Pontoon , Roulette , Rapid (semi-electronic) Roulette, Sic Bo and Three card poker Two-Up
290-757: Is usually held between May and September. They have been variously held in Sydney at the Star City Show Room, Sydney Lyric , Sydney Opera House and the Capitol Theatre , and at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Australian stage and screen actor Simon Burke has presided over the event seven times, the most of any other person, from 2001 to 2006, and again in 2012. The awards have been broadcast since 2004 on various Foxtel channels, and since 2018 live on ABC Television . Each year
319-719: The JC Williamson Award (named after theatre manager James Cassius Williamson ), for one's life's work in Australia's live entertainment industry. This is the highest honour presented by Live Performance Australia. Other special awards are the Sue Nattrass Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in a field without high public profile, the Brian Stacey Memorial Award, and an award for Best Special Event. To be eligible for
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#1732787860624348-444: The inaugural Helpmann Awards , twenty six accolades were handed out for achievements in performance , direction , choreography , lighting , sound , music , costume and scenic design and production , in the disciplines of musical theatre , contemporary music , comedy , opera , classical music , theatre , dance and physical theatre . Over the years the categories expanded and now include many more honours. The aim of
377-569: The 2,000 seat Sydney Lyric theatre and 3,000-seat Event Centre , the latter designed by Montreal-based theatre design firm Scéno Plus . Its gaming operations are overseen and controlled by the New South Wales Casino Control Authority and is licensed to be the only legal casino in New South Wales . In late 2007, it was granted a 12-year extension of its exclusivity and licence. In December 1994,
406-954: The Australian equivalent of the United States' Tony Awards for Broadway theatre and the United Kingdom's Laurence Olivier Awards for West End theatre . The Helpmann Awards were last awarded in 2019. LPA cancelled the 2020 and 2021 awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic . No public statement has been made for subsequent years. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (now known as Live Performance Australia (LPA)). They are named in honour of Australian actor, choreographer, dancer and theatre director, Sir Robert Helpmann . At
435-473: The Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of our industry for the better", the award is the highest honour the LPA can bestow. Helpmann Awards The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia ( LPA ) since 2001. The annual awards recognise achievements in
464-485: The Helpmann Awards, a production must: be produced or presented by an LPA Member, or professionally produced by a non-Member that has paid an Industry Service Fee for the production; fall within the artistic or industry award categories; and officially open in Australia during the season (or for Best Regional Touring Production Award, undertake its first Australian regional tour during the season). Exemptions from
493-547: The Marquee, opened on 31 March 2012. In 2009, Tabcorp , the then-owners of Star City, announced an A$ 475 million refurbishment and expansion program called Project Star which involved the re-orientation of the casino towards Sydney Harbour, including a new "iconic" entrance as well as a drop-off zone on the harbour side of the casino site. Work began in late 2009 and was completed late 2012. Despite initial cost estimates, according to Echo Entertainment Group CEO, Larry Mullin
522-441: The awards is to promote Australia's live entertainment industry, both locally and internationally, by: recognising artistic achievements; administering the awards with integrity; ensuring the awards are celebrated by the industry and Australian community; and ensuring the ceremony is the most prestigious awards in the local industry and the highlight of each season. Special non-competitive prizes are also bestowed upon individuals:
551-404: The casino after fraudulent chips were found. Some chips did make their way into the bank due to limited security features on the chips. The Star has a large variety of restaurants including five star fine dining. Not all the restaurants are managed by The Star with a number of outlets being privately managed. The Star's Harvest Buffet is known for its all you can eat buffet with seafood buffet over
580-425: The chair of each panel, who in turn chooses the members of their respective fields. The nominations are then determined by each of them, who choose four per category. The winners are determined in a secret online ballot by the voters who are employees of LPA members, panelists and previous Helpmann winners and nominees. The award categories are currently: The annual Helpmann Awards ceremony
609-457: The disciplines of musical theatre , contemporary music , comedy , opera , classical music , theatre , dance and physical theatre . Over forty awards are given to productions, festivals and concerts, and for individuals for their work in performance, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design. They are named in honour of ballet dancer, choreographer, director and actor Sir Robert Helpmann . The awards are
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#1732787860624638-704: The entry criteria can be granted in exceptional circumstances by a committee consisting of the LPA president, chief executive and chair of the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee (HAAC). Nine nominating panels determine the nominees for their respective fields. These are: cabaret, children's presentation, comedy, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry awards, musicals, opera and classical music, and theatre. The nominating panels comprises artists, creatives, arts administrators, writers, journalists, producers, promoters, venue managers and educators. The HAAC selects
667-436: The final cost was estimated to be around A$ 961 million. On 16 September 2011, the casino reopened under the name "The Star". The venue has featured awards nights including playing host to the annual film and television AACTA Awards . The first 12 episodes of the 2005–2006 Australian television series Joker Poker was filmed in a private gaming room at the casino. The game was dealt by experienced The Star croupiers; however
696-562: The floor shortly after due to lack of interest from players. The Star provides a selection of electronic gaming machines, including slot machines , bingo , rapid roulette and video poker machines . Rapid Big Wheel was introduced in early 2006 to replace the often slow-paced table game version , which has now been reintroduced, and the Rapid Big Wheel removed in August 2007. The Star has just over 1490 electronic gaming machines but
725-480: The performing arts, art administrators, entrepreneurs, members of the media, playwrights, theatre producers, directors and politicians In 2020 and 2021, the awards where cancelled due to COVID-19 , but it was announced in May 2021, that recipients will be awarded for the 2020 season. The awards are a lifetime achievement award in recognition with the incitement of "individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to
754-471: The show was not a success. Also filmed there were several episodes of Beauty and the Geek Australia . The now defunct Ralph magazine shot its swimsuit model of the year competition at Turbines Health Club (pool and gym for the hotel and apartments). During the COVID-19 pandemic , Australian comedians Alex Apollonov of I Did a Thing and Aleksa Vulović partnered with The Chaser to create
783-416: The weekend. The Star operates eight bars within the complex with a further two outlets designated as bars and another two external independent outlets able to serve alcohol. Bars within the gaming area are not accessible to minors (persons under 18). Some bars have live entertainment, mostly on weekends. The Lagoon Bar and Glo Bar closed in 2009 as part of the refurbishment project. A new nightclub, known as
812-402: Was available at Star City but was removed at the end of October 2003 as the game was not considered to be economically viable. The pit typically required three dealers and two games supervisors, consequently management felt that returns were not as high as they could be and with Tabcorp insisting on large reductions in overheads and increased profit, this iconic game was closed. In December 2005,
841-810: Was one of the largest building projects ever carried out in Australia. The complex is now owned by The Star Entertainment Group. The casino features two gaming floors — the main gaming floor on level one for general entry and the Sovereign Room on level three. The Sovereign Room table bet ranges from $ 25 to $ 75,000 and also contains the Inner Sanctum , with table bet ranges of $ 100 to $ 500,000. The two areas are only available to high rollers and international guests following an application for membership and review by The Star's management. The Inner Sanctum pits are frequently used for junket players. Star City returned to junket play in 2005 after taking
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