JAMES CASSIUS AWARD®
RULES
The James Cassius Award is named in honour of and commemorates the memory and achievements of JC Williamson
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LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA©™ JAMES CASSIUS AWARD®
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction ...... 2 Rule 1 – These Rules ...... 2 Rule 2 – The James Cassius Award® ...... 2 Chapter 2 – Organisation and Conduct of the James Cassius Award® ...... 4 Rule 3 – Nomination of Candidates ...... 4 Rule 4 – Recognition and Eligibility ...... 4 Rule 5 - Criteria ...... 4 Rule 6 – The James Cassius Committee ...... 5 Rule 7 – Selection of the Candidates ...... 5 Rule 8 – Consent of the Recipients ...... 6 Rule 9 – Presentation of the James Cassius Award® ...... 6 Rule 10 – James Cassius Trophy ...... 6 Chapter 3 – Commercial Matters ...... 7 Rule 11 - Interpretation of Chapter 3 ...... 7 Rule 12 – Finance ...... 7 Rule 13 – Sponsorship and Media Partners ...... 7 Rule 14 – Intellectual Property ...... 7 Chapter 4 – General ...... 8 Rule 15 – Adoption of these Rules ...... 8 Rule 16 – Amending these Rules ...... 8 Rule 17 – Matters Not Provided For ...... 8 Rule 18 – Definitions and Interpretation ...... 8 SCHEDULES ...... 10 Schedule 1 – Brief Biography of JC Williamson ...... 11 © Frank Van Straten ...... 13 Schedule 2 – JCC Charter of Responsibility ...... 14 Schedule 3 – The Trophy ...... 16 PRESCRIBED FORMS ...... 17 Form 1 – Letter of Appointment - JCC ...... 18
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LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA©™ JAMES CASSIUS AWARD®
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Rule 1 – These Rules 1. These Rules deal with the awarding and organisation of the James Cassius Award® by Live Performance Australia (LPA), an organisation of employers registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) as the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). 2. The LPA Executive Council has adopted these Rules in accordance with Rule 19 of the AEIA Rules. 3. These Rules apply to and are binding on: (a) LPA; (b) all LPA Members; and (c) any person that agrees to be bound by or comes within the purview of these Rules including by: (i) being a member of the James Cassius Committee established under these Rules (JCC); or (ii) by nominating an individual to be a candidate to receive the James Cassius Award® (Candidate). 4. Words used in these Rules and the rules of interpretation that apply are set out and explained in Rule 18. 5. The Schedules and the Prescribed Forms form part of these Rules.
Rule 2 – The James Cassius Award® 1. The James Cassius Award® is named in honour of and commemorates the memory and achievements of JC Williamson, which are summarised in Schedule 1 to these Rules. The James Cassius Award® may also be referred to as the “James Cassius Williamson Award” or the “JC Williamson Award”. 2. By the giving of the James Cassius Award®, LPA seeks to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry (Industry) since the opening of JC Williamson’s first Australian production Struck Oil! in Melbourne on 1 August 1874. - 3 -
3. LPA may annually select up to 2 individuals to be recognised by the giving of the James Cassius Award® for their outstanding contribution to the Industry (Annual Recipients). Annual Recipients will receive the James Cassius Award® during the Helpmann Awards® Ceremony that year. 4. In 2007, LPA announced a number of historical recipients of the James Cassius Award® (Historical Recipients). Historical Recipients: (a) made an outstanding contribution to the Industry between 1874 and the inception of the James Cassius Award® in 1998; (b) are recognised in a virtual Hall of Fame at http://www.liveperformance.com.au/halloffame/ (Hall of Fame); and (c) join the Annual Recipients who have been recognised by the AEIA since 1999 for their outstanding contribution to the Industry.
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Chapter 2 – Organisation and Conduct of the James Cassius
Award®
Rule 3 – Nomination of Candidates 1. An individual may be nominated to be a Candidate to receive an Annual James Cassius Award® by: (a) the JCC; or (b) an LPA Member on the invitation of and in the time and manner prescribed by the JCC. 2. An individual may be nominated to be a Candidate to receive an Historical James Cassius Award® by: (a) the JCC; (b) a Helpmann Awards® Nominating Panel in relation to the Artistic Discipline of the Nominating Panel in the time and manner prescribed by the JCC; or (c) an LPA Member by submitting nominees to the JCC between 8 August 2005 and 30 September 2005 in the manner prescribed by the JCC.
Rule 4 – Recognition and Eligibility 1. The James Cassius Award® recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to the Industry. Accordingly, the James Cassius Award® can only be given once and, once given, recognises the Recipient’s contribution in perpetuity. 2. Whilst the James Cassius Award® recognises the totality of an individual’s contribution to the Industry, a Candidate for an Annual James Cassius Award® may yet have work of significance within the Industry to be accomplished. 3. To be eligible to receive an Historical James Cassius Award®, a Candidate must have retired from or ceased to be active in the Industry by 31 December 1997, or have subsequently passed away.
Rule 5 - Criteria 1. The principal criterion to guide the JCC in its deliberations whether to select a Candidate to receive the James Cassius Award® is whether the Candidate has made an outstanding contribution to the Industry. 2. In considering whether a Candidate has made an outstanding contribution to the Industry, the JCC is to have regard to the Candidate’s: (a) achievement in his or her chosen fields within the Industry; (b) positive impact on the Industry; and - 5 -
(c) length of service within the Industry, although this is of less weight than the matters in paragraphs (a) and (b) and does not determine eligibility. 3. The JCC considers Candidates irrespective of their chosen field, location or nationality including, but not only, Candidates: (a) from all Artistic Disciplines; (b) from all parts of Australia; (c) who are Australian citizens who, by excelling on the world stage, made an outstanding contribution to the Industry; and (d) who are foreign citizens who made an outstanding contribution to the Industry within Australia. 4. The JCC considers Candidates for their contribution as a performer, administrator, entrepreneur, member of the media, writer, director, designer, technician, politician or in any other capacity which the JCC considers warrants recognition. 5. In choosing Candidates for the James Cassius Award®, the JCC will have regard to ensuring that a Candidate reflects the stature of prior Candidates and does not dilute the prestige of the Award.
Rule 6 – The James Cassius Committee 1. The LPA Executive Council has: (a) established and constituted the JCC in accordance with the Charter of Responsibility of the JCC at Schedule 2 to these Rules (the Charter); and (b) in accordance with Rules 19(j) and (k) of the AEIA Rules, delegated to and vested the JCC with the responsibilities set out in the Charter and these Rules. 2. The JCC must: (a) effectively perform and carry out the responsibilities and comply with the procedures set out in the Charter; and (b) support and assist the LPA Management Committee to ensure the James Cassius Award® is organised, conducted and made in accordance with these Rules.
Rule 7 – Selection of the Candidates 1. The JCC must meet to consider and select Candidates nominated under Rule 3 to receive the James Cassius Award®. 2. The JCC must: (a) select Candidates for an Annual James Cassius Award® by 31 March in the year the Annual James Cassius® Award is to be presented; and (b) select Candidates for an Historical James Cassius Award® by 31 October 2005.
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Rule 8 – Consent of the Recipients 1. The JCC must ensure that: (a) an Annual James Cassius Award® is given with the consent of the Recipient; and (b) an Historical James Cassius Award® is given with the consent of the Recipient where it is possible to obtain that consent.
Rule 9 – Presentation of the James Cassius Award® 1. An Annual James Cassius Award® will be presented at the Helpmann Awards® Ceremony in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Rules of the Helpmann Awards®.
Rule 10 – James Cassius Trophy 1. The Recipient of an Annual James Cassius Award® will be presented with the James Cassius Trophy (Trophy). The Trophy may also be referred to as the “James Cassius Williamson Trophy” or the “JC Williamson Trophy”. The Trophy is described in Schedule 3 to these Rules. 2. The Recipient of an Historical James Cassius Award® or his or her representative may be presented with the Trophy or such other appropriate form of recognition approved by the LPA Executive Council on the recommendation of the JCC.
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Chapter 3 – Commercial Matters
Rule 11 - Interpretation of Chapter 3 1. This Chapter 3 is to be read in conjunction with Chapter 6 of the Rules of the Helpmann Awards®. 2. If there is any inconsistency or conflict between a provision of these Rules and the Rules of the Helpmann Awards®, the interpretation given by the LPA Management Committee will be final and binding.
Rule 12 – Finance 1. The James Cassius Award® is to be organised and conducted in accordance with any financial, budgetary or commercial requirements or limitations prescribed by the LPA Management Committee or determined by the LPA Chief Executive from time to time. 2. Any profit generated by the conduct of the James Cassius Award® will form part of the consolidated revenue of LPA.
Rule 13 – Sponsorship and Media Partners 1. LPA may appoint sponsors and media partners in connection with the Awards on such terms and conditions that LPA thinks fit.
Rule 14 – Intellectual Property 1. The intellectual property in the James Cassius Award® including the name and logo is owned by LPA. 2. The James Cassius Awards® and the J.C. Williamson Award® are registered trademarks of LPA. 3. A person may only use the intellectual property rights of LPA in the James Cassius Award® and the J.C. Williamson Award® with the prior written consent of the LPA Chief Executive, which consent may be given on such conditions as the LPA Chief Executive thinks fit.
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Chapter 4 – General
Rule 15 – Adoption of these Rules 1. These Rules were adopted by resolution of the LPA Executive Council carried in accordance with the AEIA Rules on 10 June 2005 and amended on 2 December 2005 and 27 November 2008.
Rule 16 – Amending these Rules 2. These Rules may only be amended by resolution of the LPA Executive Council carried in accordance with the AEIA Rules.
Rule 17 – Matters Not Provided For 3. Any matter not provided for in these Rules will be settled by the LPA Chief Executive, subject to review by the LPA Management Committee. Any review by the LPA Management Committee will be final and binding on all persons bound by these Rules.
Rule 18 – Definitions and Interpretation 4. In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears: AEIA Rules means the registered rules of the AEIA from time to time pursuant to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth); Annual Recipient has the meaning given in Rule 2.3; Artistic Discipline means any live performing art form including one to which an Award Category relates under the Rules of the Helpmann Awards®; Candidate has the meaning given in Rule 1.3(c)(ii); Charter means the Charter of Responsibility of the JCC set out at Schedule 2 to these Rules; Hall of Fame has the meaning given in Rule 2.4; Helpmann Awards® Nominating Panel means a Helpmann Awards® Nominating Panel constituted in accordance with the Rules of the Helpmann Awards®; Historical Recipient has the meaning given in Rule 2.4; Industry has the meaning given in Rule 2.2; JCC means the James Cassius Committee established and constituted in accordance with Rule 6 and the Charter; LPA Chief Executive means the person appointed from time to time by the LPA Executive Council to hold office as chief executive of the LPA under the AEIA Rules; - 9 -
LPA Executive Council means the body elected and appointed from time to time as the executive council of the LPA in accordance with the AEIA Rules; LPA Management Committee means the Management Committee established by the LPA Executive Council under the terms of the charter of responsibility adopted on 5 December 2003 and as revised from time to time; LPA Member means any person that is a current financial member of LPA in accordance with the AEIA Rules; LPA President means the person elected from time to time to hold office as president of LPA under the AEIA Rules; Prescribed Form means any form prescribed under these Rules; Schedule means a schedule to these Rules; and Trophy has the meaning given in Rule 10. 5. In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears: (a) a reference to these Rules is a reference to these Rules as amended or varied from time to time; (b) a reference to any document is a reference to that document as amended or varied from time to time; (c) any use of the verb ‘includes’, or of words such as ‘for example’ or ‘such as’, do not limit anything else that is included in general speech; (d) a word or phrase defined in these Rules has the meaning given to it; (e) a reference to a ‘person’ includes a natural person, corporation, trust, body corporate or any other form of legal entity; (f) a reference to ‘$’ or ‘dollars’ is a reference to Australian dollars; (g) a reference to any amount payable under these Rules is a reference to a GST exclusive amount and any GST is in addition to any amount specified; and (h) any time limit provided for in these Rules may be extended by the AEIA Chief Executive where an extension of time is just, equitable or reasonably necessary to ensure the effective organisation and conduct of the Awards.
Adopted by the AEIA Executive Council in Sydney on 10 June 2005, and amended on 2 December 2005, 27 November 2008 and 26 November 2013.
Andrew Kay Evelyn Richardson AEIA President LPA Chief Executive 26 November 2013 - 10 -
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 – Brief Biography of JC Williamson
Schedule 2 – Charter of Responsibility of the James Cassius Committee
Schedule 3 – The Trophy
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Schedule 1 – Brief Biography of JC Williamson
Firm Foundations James Cassius Williamson and ‘The Firm’
For over a century, the name J.C. Williamson dominated Australian theatre.
James Cassius Williamson was eleven when he saw his first play - and he remained stage struck for the rest of his life. He was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, in 1844, he joined a stock company while he was still at school. After working as a comedian in New York, he moved to San Francisco where he met and married actress Maggie Moore. They found success in Struck Oil, a quaint comedy-melodrama that they brought to Australia in 1874.
And ‘strike oil’ they did! Over 93,000 people saw them during their first Melbourne season - this in a city of 110,000! After similar success around Australia, the Williamsons went to London and back to the United States – and everywhere Struck Oil drew full houses.
They returned to Australia in 1879 with the colonial rights to the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Williamson scuttled a flotilla of unauthorised productions of H.M.S. Pinafore, leaving the way clear for his own. He appeared as Sir Joseph Porter, with Maggie as Josephine.
In the next thirty-four years, sometimes in partnership, J.C. Williamson dominated the Australian stage, presenting the latest overseas successes and importing the brightest stars. He established a chain of fine theatres, beginning with the Princess in Melbourne in 1886.
After the Williamsons separated, Maggie married actor Harry Roberts and continued to revive Struck Oil, much to her former husband’s fury. She died in 1926 after a cable car accident in San Francisco.
Sarah Bernhardt toured for Williamson in 1891, packing theatres with productions performed in French. During the Depression in the 1890s, Williamson survived largely through a hugely popular pantomime, Djin-Djin, which he wrote himself. A dancer in this production, Mary Weir, became his second wife.
In 1902 Williamson staged Ben Hur, only to lose the entire production when fire destroyed Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney. He imported great actors like Wilson Barrett, Julius Knight and Roy Redgrave, Michael’s father, and staged colourful musicals such as Florodora, The Merry - 12 -
Widow and Our Miss Gibbs. In 1911 Williamson became governing director of his last and largest company, J.C. Williamson Ltd - ‘The Firm’. His final major enterprise - marking the fiftieth anniversary of his professional debut - was the celebrated Melba-Williamson Grand Opera Company of 1911. James Cassius Williamson died in Paris in 1913.
‘The Firm’, of course, continued amalgamating in 1920, with concert entrepreneurs J. and N. Tait Limited, a firm founded by five brothers from Castlemaine in Victoria. Their first big production was the musical Irene. J. and N. Tait continued in the concert field, touring international celebrities like Harry Lauder, Percy Grainger, Marian Anderson, Marjorie Lawrence, David Oistrakh, Victoria de los Angeles, Yehudi Menuhin and Leonard Bernstein.
In the 1920s local stars came to the fore, most notably Gladys Moncrieff in The Maid of the Mountains. Audiences flocked to Sally, Rose-Marie, The Desert Song and the Oscar Asche tour of 1922. Both Melba and Pavlova toured twice in the 1920s.
In 1928 the Comedy Theatre was built and Williamson’s extended their operations abroad, presenting attractions in London and the United States. Their timing was unfortunate. Like other entrepreneurs, they were hit hard by the Depression, the advent of ‘talkies’, the spread of radio and the introduction of entertainment tax. The interior of Her Majesty’s in Melbourne was burnt out in 1929. Soon after, the Theatre Royal in Melbourne and Her Majesty’s and the Criterion in Sydney were sold and demolished.
After things improved, Her Majesty’s in Melbourne was rebuilt and it re-opened in 1934 with the wonderfully successful operetta White Horse Inn. There were tours by Sybil Thorndike and Fay Compton, Australia’s first ice spectacular, Switzerland and the sensational international ballet companies of Colonel de Basil.
During the war ‘The Firm’ relied mainly on revivals of favourite musicals and the perennial Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Viola Wilson, a young Scottish soprano, came to this country to sing in the Savoy operas and became the second Mrs Frank Tait in 1941.
From 1945 until 1961, Williamson’s fostered the Borovansky Ballet, touring them throughout Australia and New Zealand. The Kiwis, a New Zealand all-male army revue, proved enormously popular. Annie Get Your Gun, the first of the big post-war musicals, opened in 1947 with beloved Evie Hayes as its star. Other major musicals followed - Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate, Call Me Madam, Can-Can, Paint Your Wagon, Brigadoon, Song of Norway, The Pajama Game and many more, including, of course, My Fair Lady in 1959. The Australian musical The Sentimental Bloke was staged successfully in 1961. - 13 -
Googie Withers and John McCallum started a long association with ‘The Firm’ in 1955 when they starred in the comedy Simon and Laura. Other plays produced by ‘The Firm’ were Born Yesterday, Worm’s Eye View, Seagulls Over Sorrento and Reluctant Heroes.
In 1962 Williamson’s staged Camelot, spectacularly designed by the brilliant young Australian John Truscott. Three years later, Joan Sutherland and the newcomer called Luciano Pavarotti starred in an exciting opera season. Sir Frank Tait, the last of the remarkable brothers, died shortly. John McCallum, formerly joint Managing Director, was now solely in charge. ‘The Firm’ did well with Fiddler on the Roof in 1967 and Man of La Mancha in 1968.
Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney was destroyed by fire in 1970 and rebuilt in 1973. Williamson- Edgley Theatres was formed in 1971, with Michael Edgley as Managing Director. This partnership lasted a little over two years.
The centenary of J.C. Williamson’s arrival in Australia, 1974 was marked by a new production of Irene with Julie Anthony. But by then though, ‘the largest theatrical management in the Southern Hemisphere’ was in trouble. In 1976, following an unsuccessful application to the Industries Assistance Commission, the company was wound up. Kenn Brodziak obtained the rights to the name ‘J.C. Williamson Productions’ and produced under this banner for a number of years, before the name passed to other enterprises.
Through the dedication of Lady Tait, most of J.C. Williamson’s vast archives - thousands of programmes, photographs, business records, cutting books, scripts - are preserved in the Victorian Arts Museum. More important though, are the precious memories of performers and patrons - echoes of nights of glamour and gladness, music and laughter - back in the days when the initials ‘J.C.W.’ outside a theatre guaranteed excellence in entertainment. James Cassius Williamson would have been proud.
© Frank Van Straten
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Schedule 2 – JCC Charter of Responsibility
Live Performance Australia James Cassius Committee
Paragraph 1 - Preamble The James Cassius Committee (JCC) has been established by the LPA Executive Council. As set out in this Charter of Responsibility (Charter), the JCC is responsible for supporting and assisting LPA to ensure the James Cassius Award® is organised, conducted and made in accordance with the Rules of the James Cassius Award® (Rules).
Paragraph 2 – Establishment and Introduction 1. The JCC is established by resolution of the LPA Executive Council carried 10 June 2005 in accordance with Rules 19(j) and (k) of the AEIA Rules. 2. Unless the contrary intention appears, words and phrases used in this Charter have the definitions and meanings given in the Rules.
Paragraph 3 – Structure of the JCC 1. The JCC consists of: (a) the LPA President, who will act as Chair of the JCC (Chair); (b) the two LPA Vice Presidents; (c) the Chair of the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee (HAAC); (d) the Executive Producer of the Helpmann Awards; (e) LPA’s Official Historian; (f) Past Presidents of LPA; and (g) LPA’s Chief Executive 2. The terms of appointment of a member of the JCC are set out in the letter of appointment in the Prescribed Form to the Rules. 3. Any person nominated to be a member of the JCC under Paragraph 2.1 must sign and return to the LPA Chief Executive the letter of appointment in the Prescribed Form for that person’s appointment to take effect. 4. If any vacancy arises in the JCC, that vacancy may be filled by a nominee of the LPA Chief Executive subject to ratification by the LPA Executive Council. 5. The LPA President may nominate a member of the LPA Executive Council or an LPA Life Member to be a member of the JCC and act as Chair in his or her stead. 6. A nominee of the LPA Chief Executive will act as secretary of the JCC (Secretary). - 15 -
7. The JCC may appoint any person to act as an observer to the JCC.
Paragraph 4 – Charter of Responsibility 1. The JCC is responsible for: (a) supporting and assisting the LPA Management Committee in ensuring the James Cassius Award® is organised and conducted in accordance with the Rules; (b) selecting Candidates as Recipients; (c) informing the LPA Executive Council of the basis for its recommendations including how in the view of the JCC any Candidate meets the criteria set out in the Rules for a Candidate to become a Recipient; (d) furnishing the LPA with the necessary information about the achievements and careers of Candidates and Recipients to enable LPA to effectively administer and carry out these Rules; and (e) any other matter related to the James Cassius Award® delegated to the JCC by LPA.
Paragraph 5 – Meeting Procedures 1. The JCC will meet as often as it deems necessary to perform its responsibilities. In consultation with the Chair and the LPA Chief Executive, the Secretary will determine the venue for the meetings. Any member of the JCC or person entitled to attend may attend a meeting by telephone or videoconference facility or any other means of communications technology approved by the Chair. 2. If the Chair is unable to attend any meeting, the meeting will be chaired by the LPA Chief Executive or a member of the JCC appointed by the meeting. 3. The quorum for meeting of the JCC is the number equal to 50% plus one of the total membership of the JCC. 4. Each member of the JCC is entitled to vote on any question arising at a meeting. 5. The right of any observer appointed to the JCC to attend any meeting or participate in any discussion of the JCC will be a matter for the Chair. An observer will not have the right to vote on any question arising at a meeting.
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Schedule 3 – The Trophy
The James Cassius Trophy
The James Cassius Trophy has been designed in the form of the Helpmann Trophy and, accordingly, reflects a range of aspects relating to the theatre. Unlike the distinctive silver and Australian red wood design of the Helpmann Trophy, the James Cassius Trophy features a golden design in keeping with the James Cassius Award’s® standing as the highest honour in the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry.
The black stepped base symbolises the stage. The golden square column represents the performer, and the four sides of it the temperaments he or she can represent: choleric (anger), phlegmatic (cool, self-possessed, even of temper), sanguine (courageous, hopeful and amorous) and melancholic (sadness, depression of spirit). The golden triangular form suggests the face mask used in classical Greek theatre, and the black crown represents the amphitheatre and the audience.
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PRESCRIBED FORMS
Form 1 – Letter of Appointment – JCC
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Form 1 – Letter of Appointment - JCC
[date]
[date] J.C. Williamson Award® - Appointment to
James Cassius Committee
Dear [name],
It gives us great pleasure to welcome you as a member of the James Cassius Committee (JCC) for the J.C Williamson Award® and we congratulate you on your appointment.
The JCC is charged with the responsibility of supporting and assisting LPA to ensure the J.C. Williamson Award® is made in accordance with the Rules of the James Cassius Award® (Rules).
We ask that when serving on the JCC, you declare or avoid any conflicts of interest and decide the matters before the JCC without taking external instruction. We also ask that you keep confidential all the information relating to the administration of the James Cassis Award® and LPA that is disclosed to you in your capacity as a member of the JCC. In addition, we ask that you comply with the Rules of the James Cassius Award® including the Charter of Responsibility of the JCC.
Your signature to this letter attests to your acceptance of these principles.
LPA very much appreciates your willingness to assume this important responsibility.
Yours sincerely
………………………………………… ………………………………………… [name] [name of JCC member] LPA Chief Executive