New Zealand’s arts and entertainment community gathered at the Q Theatre last night to honor actor Ken Blackburn, recipient of 2017 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Ryman Healthcare.
The awards ceremony featured a star studded line-up of tributes, speeches and performances from the likes of Roger Hall, Tony Barry, Emma Sloman, Danny Mulheron, Michael Hurst, Elizabeth McRae, Ian Mune, Rebekah Head, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Zak Enayat.
Equity president Jennifer Ward-Lealand said the evening was a wonderful event befitting Ken’s illustrious career. “Ken Blackburn has inspired so many artists and audiences with his performances on screen and stage. He is also an incredibly talented director and writer. It was a real treat to look back on all he has achieved - and still is - since he began his acting career in 1963. A huge thank you to the many musicians, performers, family, friends and Ryman Healthcare for making last night possible”.
In an impressively wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years Ken has worked in film, television, radio and theatre. Many of his peers took the opportunity to remark not only on Ken’s skill and dedication to his craft, but also his kind nature and good humor.
Ken was nominated by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.
The Equity Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the Equity Foundation in 2015 with the generous support of Ryman Healthcare. Past recipients include Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt. For further information about the Equity Foundation visit http://www.equityfoundation.org.au/
(Image: Amanda Billing)