The annual Green Room Awards for theatre in Melbourne during 1997 have been awarded at the Victorian Arts Centre. The Melbourne Theatre Company dominated the evening and its acclaimed production of A Little Night Music picked up five awards, including best director for Roger Hodgman and best male artist for John O'May.

The MTC's Molly Sweeney also saw Sarah Pierse win best female actor and Jenny Kemp win best director(drama).

The award for male artist in a featured role went to Marty Field's for Crazy For You and star of Sweet Charity Kelley Abbey won female artist in a leading role. Best direction award went to Gale Edwards for Manon Lescaut even though it was savaged by the critics.

Retired dancer Dame Margaret Scott won the lifetime achievement award for 'her extraordinary devotion to shaping the Australian Ballet and the Australian Ballet School'. The annual presentation is part of Theatre Week celebrations.

--By Peter Kemp
Australia Correspondent