Hannah Gadsby has beaten out a star-studded field to win the 2019 Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer for her smash-hit stand up show Douglas.

Announced on Monday night at a ceremony at Melbourne’s State Theatre, Gadsby was awarded the winner ahead of the other nominees, which included Anne Edmonds’s What’s Wrong With You?; Damien Power’s Man Puts His Dreams In A Sock; Cassie Workman’s Giantess; James Acaster’s Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999; and Rhys Nicholson’s Nice People Nice Things Nice Situations.

The annual Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia’s vibrant live performance sectors. The awards were established in 2001 to honour Sir Robert Helpmann as well as recognise, celebrate and promote the local live performance industry.

Gadsby will return to Australia with Douglas for a series of shows in December and January. All details can be viewed here. Congratulations to all winners and nominees!