Equity Foundations ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ for Jill Perryman & Kevan Johnston
9th August 2013
Well what a stunning night at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Monday 7th Oct, as we all gathered together to celebrate the Equity Foundations Life Time Achievement Award to joint worthy, immensely talented recipients, Jill Perryman and Kevan Johnston.
It was such a wonderful, uplifting event organised by the Equity Foundation, generously sponsored by Foxtel. Mike Walsh graciously handed over “Her Maj” for the evening – a most fitting venue; the very place Jill and Kevan met all those years ago.
Wonderfully hosted by Simon Burke, we were entertained by a stellar cast staring Patti (with her broken foot trussed up in a blinged up moon boot) and Bert Newton made a hilarious appearance with the duo renaming their act “Moon Face and Moon Boot.” “The Tap Pack” gave a fitting tribute to Kevan with a fabulous routine. Lucy Durack and Verity Hunt Ballard sang like song birds. The wonderful, talented raconteur Tony Sheldon gave an amazing recollection of Jill and Kevan’s story before launching into a special surprise routine with Nancy Hayes, that brought the house down. Todd McKenney gave a very beautiful and personal tribute to them both dating their connection right back to Todd’s own birth! The speeches and accolades were then rounded off with a glorious montage put together by Foxtel gave us a visual insight into their body of work, talent and history together. The highlight of this was a recorded, heartfelt and emotional message from Carole Cook all the way from Hollywood -, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
We need more nights like these, giving a nod of honour to our great Australian performers, it reminds us all of the depth of talent we have in our country and the respect and admiration for our peers in the performing fraternity.
The Victorian Actors Benevolent Trust was humbled to collect donations on the night that will go towards helping actors and crew in need.
