Cate Blanchett, Paul Capsis Score Helpmann Noms

Last night's announcement of the Helpmann Awardnominations saw reoccurring names representing the Australian stage, including Gross Und Klein (Big And Small), The Boys, Songs For Nobodies, The Histrionic, The Importance Of Being Earnest and Ganesh Vs The Third Reich.

Bille Brown has been nominated for Best Actor as Bruscon in The Histrionic on at The Malthouse Theatres and STC, and he's up against Paul Capsis for Angela's Kitchen, Jack Charles for Jack Charles V the Crown and Colin Friels for MTC's Red.

Best Actress noms went to Cate Blanchett for Gross Und Klein (Big And Small), Robyn Nevin for Belvoir's Neighbourhood Watch, Bernadette Robinson for her one woman show Songs For Nobodies and Helen Thomson for her portrayal of Pearl in Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll.

New hot-shot director, Perth export Matt Lutton has been nominated for Best Opera Direction for Elektra - his current show On the Misconception of Oedipus is about to open at the Malthouse and Paul Jackson scored two noms for lighting for Little Match Girl and Elektra.

The lauded Best Musical award will go to one of An Officer And A Gentleman, A Chorus Line, Rock Of Ages and Grey Gardens.

Angela's Kitchen, Ganesh Versus the Third Reich and Songs for Nobodies have all been nominated for Best New Australian Work.

See the music nominations here.

See the full list of nominations here.