The Benny Award is bestowed on a New Zealand variety entertainer.
It is presented annually by the
Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, a non-for-profit organisation and showbusiness club, founded in 1966 and awarded to a variety performer who has achieved "A lifetime of excellence in their field of the performing arts".
Nominations
Nominations for the Benny Award are accepted from VAC members and the recipient decided upon by past Benny recipients, making its presentation recognition of the highest degree by the New Zealand entertainment industry.
Naming
The Benny Award was named after its first recipient, New Zealand variety performer
Edgar Benyon (1902–1978) in 1969. The Benny statuette was designed and sculptured by magician Jon Zealando and features Greek muses
Melpomene
Melpomene (; ) is the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. She is described as the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne (and therefore of power and memory) along with the other Muses, and she is often portrayed with a tragic theatrical mask.
Etymolog ...
and
Thalia, the traditional symbols of comedy and tragedy.
Recipients of the Benny Award include many New Zealand household names and figureheads of entertainment.
Recipients
References
{{reflist
External links
Variety Artists Club of New Zealand WebsiteVideo : Red Carpet TV at the 2018 Benny AwardsBiographical Information about all Benny Winners2011 Benny Awards television coverageMax Cryer MBE presents the 2006 Benny to Alan WatsonMax Cryer MBE presents the 2009 Benny to Eddie LowMax Cryer MBE presents 2010 Benny to Gary Daverne ONZM
New Zealand performing arts awards
Variety shows
Culture in Auckland
Awards established in 1969
1969 establishments in New Zealand